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.

Governor Edwards responds to a legislative effort to overturn his public health emergency and stay at home declarations…
Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Speaking of funding, the Archdiocese of New Orleans is reportedly planning to file for bankruptcy today. The 227-year-old institution is facing mounting legal costs because of unresolved clergy abuse lawsuits and the shutdown of church services has resulted in a loss of revenue. The filing is not expected to impact daily operations or the diocese’s charitable efforts.

Starting today, restaurants can allow outdoor eating. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there will be no wait service…
cut 5 (08) “….move outside”
Also, outdoor capacity must be 25-percent of what is allowed by the State Fire Marshal, so you’ll see tables 10 feet apart. No more than 10 people at one table.

Leaders in LaSalle, East and West Feliciana are among the parishes that are upset the governor extended the stay at home order to May 15th. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says most of their 115 COVID-19 cases are inmates at Angola and believes his restaurant should offer dine-in services, with a 25-percent occupancy rate…
cut 11 (13) “….shut it down”
Edwards says parishes are not allowed to looosen the restrictions under the stay at home order and face enforcement from the state health department and the fire marshal.

Governor Edwards officially extends the stay at home order to May 15th and blasts a legislative petition that if passed would overturn the state’s public health emergency declaration backing the order. Edwards says passage of the petition would potentially disqualify Louisiana from receiving millions of dollars in federal aid and puts the public’s health in jeopardy.
Cut 13 (10) “…idea.”
Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the petition to cancel the stay at home order has over half the signatures it needs.

Remdesivir has shown promise in helping patients who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms. Gilead Sciences originally developed the drug to treat Ebola. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Infectious Disease Doctor Julio Figueroa says it wasn’t successful in that application, but it seems to help those infected by COVID-19…
cut 8 (05) “…replication”
Figueroa says they are currently using it under the FDA’s Expanded Access Program, which permits the use of investigational drugs outside of a clinical trial.

Restaurants are allowed to have outdoor dining today, Brooke Thorington on what to expect.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Malls are also allowed to offer curbside pickup as part of the changes made to the governor’s stay at home order.

Governor Edwards calls a legislative petition aimed at ending his stay at home order and public health emergency “completely irresponsible and nonsensical”, but a petition proponent says they already have more than half the signatures they need to pass the veto-proof instrument. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the petition is popular with his constituents.

Cut 12 (10) “…but them”

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber-stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy thinks some mayors and governors will see spending money that they don’t have as being the new normal.

Cut 6 (10) “…do revenue projections.”

The Central Police Department warns their phone lines are clogged with out of state callers protesting the house arrest of Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell.  The call to action was posted on a Facebook page claiming to be Magi Spell. Police Chief Roger Corcoran says it’s a dangerous stunt that could prevent people from reporting emergencies.

Cut 3 (10)  “…help”   

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.  Landry says there is becoming some social unrest and one of the first steps to helping that is to allow churches to reunite their congregations.

Cut 9 (08) “…with their lives.″

Edwards responded to the letter saying he’s not considering allowing churches to open before May 15^th.

A Police Chief says the mother of a controversial suburban Baton Rouge pastor has organized a campaign to flood his department’s phone line with calls to get her son out of house arrest…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Legislative leaders announce that the legislative session resumes Monday. Most of the bills filed will not be heard. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the focus will be on passing a budget, COVID-related bills, and legislation that could help the economy. The session is set to conclude on June 1^st, but if a budget is not passed by that time, a special session could be needed.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.  Landry offered Edwards a draft set of guidelines and says the Governor needs to issue guidance for houses of worship just like he would for other portions of society.
Cut 11 (11) “…very responsible manner.”

Governor Edwards responded at his briefing today that churches could hold services outside as long as they practice social distancing and wear masks but does not plan to lift the order to allow indoor gatherings of more than 10 people until after May 15^th.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy believes the only way to recover economically is to get the economy opened back up in a smart and safe way.

Cut 8 (13) “…and smart about it.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry wants Governor Edwards to issue guidance to allow for the reopening of churches. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Governor Edwards responded at his briefing today that churches could hold services outside as long as they practice social distancing and wear masks but does not plan to lift the order to allow indoor gatherings of more than 10 people until after May 15^th

Supporters of a legislative petition that would overturn the Governor’s stay at home order say they have over half of the signatures needed for passage.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the areas of the state that don’t have a lot of cases should be allowed to open tomorrow. He says the petition is based on three considerations.

Cut 13 (06) “…constitution”

Petition supporters appear to be all Republicans but not everyone in the GOP is on board. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiburg supports the Governor’s decision. She says she’s been in frequent meetings with health officials and says the data shows reopening tomorrow wouldn’t be a good idea.

Cut 15 (10)“…order”

Governor Edwards sites significant increases in COVID-19 cases for extending the stay at home order. He noted a 22 percent increase in just one week in cases in Ouachita Parish alone, also increases in East Baton Rouge and St Tammany Parishes.

Supporters of a legislative petition that would overturn the Governor’s stay at home order say they have over half of the signatures needed for passage. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the petition is popular with his constituents.

Cut 12 (10) “…but them”

Edwards recently extended the stay at home order to May 15^th.

Petition supporters appear to be are all Republicans but not everyone in the GOP is on board. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiburg supports the Governor’s decision.

Cut 14 (10) “…the feds”

Louisiana reports 60 new COVID fatalities today. But continues the decline in total hospitalizations. 341 new positive tests were reported as well putting the total above 28,000.

Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says the parents of Pastor Tony Spell have launched a harassment campaign at the department aimed at getting their son out of house arrest. Spell was arrested last week for allegedly trying to run over a protestor, and for holding multiple services in violation of the stay at home order. Spell says they can’t transition to social media services like most other religious organizations have, but Corcoran says this campaign disproves that claim.

Cut 5 (08)  “…clearly.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.   Landry says the timing is right for the move as Louisiana appears to be beyond the peak of new cases.

Cut 10 (09) “…practicing their faith.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.  Landry says there is becoming some social unrest and one of the first steps to helping is to allow churches to reunite their congregations.

Cut 9 (08) “…with their lives.″

In a letter to the Governor, Landry highlights that religious liberty is a bedrock principled right from which freedom flows.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber-stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy believes there are cost savings that can be done in chopping nonessential spending of government.

Cut 7 (12) “…any proposed cuts.”

The newest COVID-19 numbers from the Department of Health showcase numbers are up by 341 to 28,001 and an increase in fatalities by 60 to 1862.

Customers will be allowed to eat takeout meals outside of restaurants starting tomorrow but the Louisiana Restaurant Association says only about four percent of restaurants currently have patio dining…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

New Orleans is excluded from outside dining that will be allowed in the Phase One Measure beginning on Friday.

The newest COVID-19 numbers from the Department of Health show an increase in fatalities by 60 to 1862 and case numbers are up by 341 to 28,001. Hospitalizations are down by 28 to 1601 and ventilator usage is down by 13 to 231.

The Central Police Department warns their phone lines are clogged with callers protesting the house arrest of Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell. Spell was arrested last week for allegedly trying to hit a protestor with a church bus and violating the ban on mass gatherings. Police Chief Roger Corcoran says the parents are apparently trying to leverage the harassment campaign of jamming the phone lines into getting their son set free.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…our call.”

The Chief adds the ankle bracelet was ordered by a local judge.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber-stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy thinks some mayors and governors will see spending money that they don’t have as being the new normal.

Cut 6 (10) “…do revenue projections.”

The regular legislative session is set to resume next week and the big priority for lawmakers once they return to Baton Rouge is passing a budget for next fiscal year. The session is set to end June 1st. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says they need the Revenue Estimating Conference to provide them with a dollar figure on how much they can spend next fiscal year…
cut 12 (10) “…have time”
Zeringue says he’s been told to expect at least a 500-million dollar drop in revenues.

The Central Police Department warns their phone lines are clogged with out of state callers protesting the house arrest of Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell. Spell’s mother admits to organizing the campaign on Facebook. Police Chief Roger Corcoran says it’s a dangerous stunt.

Cut 3, 10 seconds, help

Spell was arrested last week for allegedly trying to hit an anti-Spell protestor with a church bus and violating the ban on mass gatherings.

Some analysts believe the state government could face a five percent drop in revenue next fiscal year due to the oil crisis and COVID shutdown. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says that could be an issue in crafting a new budget, but some federal assistance may soften the blow.

Cut 11 (12) “…weather”

Shopping malls face a major hurdle in resurgence following the coronavirus pandemic.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Attorney General Jeff Landry sends a letter to the Governor urging him to allow for the reopening of churches and other houses of worship currently closed under the stay at home order. Landry wrote “As other states begin reopening and unrest in the Legislature continues, I believe many faith-based congregations will begin to meet with or without guidance,” and offered a set of guidelines for reopening those facilities.