The Louisiana Legislature will resume the 2020 regular session on Monday and several safety restrictions will be in place. Senate President Page Cortez says instead of multiple committee hearings at one time, meeting schedules will be staggered throughout the day to lessen traffic in the halls…

Cut 12 (03) “…one time”

Plexiglas dividers have been installed between House member’s desks as well.

Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick is one of several lawmakers to be a part of a grassroots rally at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge on Saturday.  McCormick says the goal is to send a clear message to the Governor and the state legislature.

Cut 9 (09) “…and could not do.”

McCormick says it is a constitutional right to work and worship.The rally starts at noon.

The state is ramping up COVID-19 contact tracing this month and that means you may be getting a call from a health official if you or someone close to you tests positive.   Governor Edwards says contact tracing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus.If you test positive, Edwards says the state will want information from you that could help identify others you may have infected.

Cut 7 (09) “…virus.”

Edwards mentioned intimate partners, household members, and anyone who has had contact of less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes with an infected person could be asked to quarantine.

The New Orleans Archdiocese has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as the institution is facing mounting legal costs caused by litigation stemming from decades-old incidents of clergy abuse. Archbishop GregoryAymond says the action will not affect individual church parishes or their schools…

Cut 4 (11)_ “administrative offices.”

On a day where the restrictions on businesses were lifted, the state reports a big jump in additional COVID-19 cases and deaths. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

An engine oil access hatch fell off one of the two B-52 bombers flying over New Orleans during a military salute this morning. The part fell off mid-flight and landed on private property. Officials say no one was hurt in the incident and that the panel has been retrieved. The missing panel did not impact the safety of the flight.

The state is ramping up COVID-19 contact tracing this month and that means you may be getting a call from a health official if you or someone close to you tests positive. Governor Edwards says contact tracing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus.

Cut 6 (08) “…14 days.”

Edwards mentioned intimate partners, household members, and anyone who has had contact of less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes with an infected person could be asked to quarantine.

The Louisiana Legislature will resume the 2020 regular session on Monday and several safety restrictions will be in place. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the legislative focus this session will be more narrow than usual.

Cut 14 (08) “…set forth”

If the Legislature does not pass a budget by June 1st a special session will likely be called to pass the budget by the July 1st deadline.

The state says today’s dramatic increase of 710 new positive COVID-19 results is due to a backlog of tests from two new labs that have begun reporting results electronically. LDH reports only 329 of the tests came from regular reporting that does not include those two labs, which is much closer in line with the numbers Louisiana has seen this week. The 710 new tests brings the state total to 28,711 positive confirmed COVID cases.

The 2020 Legislative regular session will resume Monday and lawmakers will have until the end of the month to pass whatever legislation needs to get done, plus the state budget. Nearly 14-hundred bills have been filed for this session, but Senate President Page Cortez says most of the bills will not be heard because the regular session must end on June 1^st.

Cut 13 (10) “…constituents”

An anti-shutdown rally is set to take place outside the Governor’s Mansion this Saturday headlined by a few legislative leaders from around the state. Oil City Republican Danny McCormick will speak at the event and says he expects a large crowd to be there based on the responses he’s seen on the online event page.

Cut 11 (10) “…our normal life.”

The rally starts at noon.

The state is ramping up COVID-19 contact tracing this month and that means you may be getting a call from a health official if you or someone close to you tests positive. If you are a close contact to confirmed COVID case you may be asked to quarantine for 14 days. Governor Edwards lists a few of the people who may be called.

Cut 8 (09) “…minutes”

The state health department reported a big jump in coronavirus cases today as Louisiana reported 710 new positive cases. The state says the large jump is the result of a backlog of test results that have come in from two new labs who are now reporting their results electronically. It’s the first time the state recorded more than 700 positive tests since April 15th.

Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick is organizing an end the shutdown rally Saturday at noon in front of the governor’s mansion. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The New Orleans Archdiocese has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as the institution is facing mounting legal costs caused by litigation stemming from decades-old incidents of clergy abuse. Archbishop Gregory Aymond says the shutdown of church services because of COVID-19 has added more financial hardships
Cut 3 (08) “…reorganization”
Aymond says the action will not affect individual church parishes or their schools.

The Louisiana Legislature will resume the 2020 regular session on Monday and several safety restrictions will be in place. Senate President Page Cortez says instead of multiple committee hearings at one time, committee schedules will be staggered throughout the day to lessen traffic in the halls…
Cut 12 (03) “…one time”
Plexiglas dividers have been installed between House member’s desks as well.

On a day where the restrictions on businesses were lifted, the state reports a big jump in additional COVID-19 cases and deaths. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The governor’s new Stay at Home order begins today. It allows restaurants to have outdoor seating, with no table-side service. All employees of any business who deal with the public must wear a mask. Shopping malls can open for curbside delivery of goods.

The state is ramping up COVID-19 contact tracing this month and that means you may be getting a call from a health official if you or someone close to you tests positive. Governor Edwards says contact tracing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus.If you test positive, Edwards says the state will want information from you that could help identify others you may have infected.

Cut 7 (09) “…virus.”

Contact tracers will also be calling those who are considered close to known COVID positive individuals to inform them that they need to quarantine.

Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick is one of several lawmakers to be a part of a grassroots rally at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge on Saturday.  Large gatherings have been banned as part of spread mitigation efforts, but McCormick says he does not foresee the rally becoming a super spreading event.

Cut 10 (09) “…need to be.”

Louisiana reports 65 additional COVID-19 deaths today bringing the state total to 1,927 COVID fatalities. Louisiana also noted an uptick of positive tests with 710* taking the state total to 28,711*.

Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick is one of several lawmakers to be a part of an anti-shutdown rally at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge on Saturday.  McCormick says the goal is to send a clear message to the Governor and the state legislature.

Cut 9 (09) “…and could not do.”

The New Orleans Archdiocese has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a result of legal costs from cases linked to decades-old incidents of clergy abuse. Archbishop Gregory Aymond says the filing helps them reorganize and settle outstanding lawsuits.

Cut 5 (10)  “…to me”

Restaurants are allowed to have outdoor dining today, Brooke Thorington on what to expect.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The New Orleans Archdiocese has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to legal costs stemming from lawsuits brought against the church linked to decades-old incidents of clergy abuse. Archbishop Gregory Aymond says the action will not affect individual church parishes or their schools…

Cut 4 (11)_ “administrative offices.”

Officials say no parish funds will be used to potentially settle any claims. 

Two parishes, LaSalle and East Feliciana have said they plan to allow their churches and businesses to open today at 25-percent of their occupancy limits. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard planned to do the same but changed his mind after a conversation with the governor. But remains frustrated the stay at home order has been extended to May 15th…

cut 12 (12) “…coughs again”

The state is ramping up COVID-19 contact tracing this month and that means you may be getting a call from a health official if you or someone close to you tests positive. Governor Edwards says contact tracing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus.

Cut 6 (08) “…14 days.”

Edwards mentioned intimate partners, household members, and anyone who has had contact of less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes with an infected person could be asked to quarantine.

The FDA has authorized anti-viral treatment Remdesivir for use in COVID patients after a study shows it can lower the amount of time a person with a severe COVID case spends in the hospital. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Infectious Disease Dr. Julio Figueroa says the study is promising but the next hurdle for patients will be the treatment’s limited availability.

Cut 9 (10) “…outcomes”

The Archdiocese of New Orleans has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as the 227-year-old institution is facing mounting legal costs caused by litigation stemming from decades-old incidents of clergy abuse. Archbishop Gregory Aymond says the shutdown of church services because of COVID-19 has added more financial hardships…
cut 3 (08) “…reorganizaiton”
Aymond says the filing will not affect individual church parishes or their schools.

The governor’s new Stay at Home order begins today. It allows restaurants to have outdoor seating, with no table-side service. All employees of any business who deal with the public must wear a mask. Shopping malls can open for curbside delivery of goods.

LSU plans to begin a phase one re-opening on May 18th and the state legislature will re-start the legislative session on Monday.

Republican lawmakers are passing around a petition that seeks to revoke the state’s stay at home order so that the economy can begin to get back on its feet again. But Governor John Bel Edwards says overturning the order would be completely irresponsible and nonsensical…
cut 14 (12) “….country”
Edwards says revoking the order could cause the state to lose millions of dollars in federal assistance.

There’s also been a push by Republican lawmakers to re-open the state on a parish-by-parish basis. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says he supports that approach because they’ve only had a few residents impacted by the virus…
cut 10 (10) “…we know them”
East Feliciana and LaSalle Parish have told their churches and businesses to open today allowing 25-percent of their occupancy limits.

Beginning today, restaurants can have outside dining with no wait service. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says all restaurants that provide outdoor patio venues must adhere to strict mitigation standards…
Cut 4 (11)_ “…normal restaurant.”
New Orleans is not participating in this change to the governor’s stay at home order.

LSU Health New Orleans says it’s using the antiviral drug remdesivir on severely ill COVID-19 patients since it has shown signs of helping…
cut 9 (10) “…OUTCOMES”
Chief of Infectious Disease Doctor Julio Figueroa says Remdesivir requires a patient to receive an intravenous dose every day. The FDA is said to be on a fast track to approving remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19.

Governor John Bel Edwards says his new stay at home order will allow churches to hold services under a tent and he hopes there will be a further relaxation in a couple of weeks. Attorney General Jeff Landry provided the governor with a set of guidelines for churches to hold services inside with more than ten people. But Edwards says we are not there yet…
cut 15 (08) “….cases”

Two parishes, LaSalle and East Feliciana have said they plan to allow their churches and businesses to open today at 25-percent of their occupancy limits. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard planned to do the same but changed his mind after a conversation with the governor. But remains frustrated the stay at home order has been extended to May 15th…
cut 12 (12) “…coughs again”

Governor John Bel Edwards has formally extended his stay at home order until May 15th, but there are parish leaders who are eager to see more of the economy open up, such as Kenny Havard of West Feliciana…
voicer 2 (25) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards says local authorities can impose stricter measures, but they can not authorize relaxed restrictions….
cut 16 (11) “….order”
The governor says that means enforcement from the state health department and state fire marshal.

Louisiana restaurants can offer outside dining starting today, with no wait service. That means you can pick up your food inside and take it outside to a patio area and eat. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says restaurants can also set up tents….
cut 6 (12) “….COVID-19”
And restaurants can allow customers to use the restrooms that are inside, but social distancing of six feet should be practiced.

LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease experts say studies show the antiviral treatment Remdesivir has promise for treating COVID-19 patients. Dr. Julio Figueroa says there were no statistically significant indications that it impacts overall mortality, but…
Cut 7 (09) “…Remdesivir”
Figueroa says they are using Remdesivir under the FDA’s Expanded Access Program, which permits the use of investigational drugs outside of a clinical trial.