State Fire marshal deputies will perform courtesy visits to businesses across the state to help increase COVID compliance. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 1 (29) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

The state reported 1,356 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, the largest single-day increase since April 7th. The number of COVID patients hospitalized also increased by another 16 to 646. The state’s death toll is up to 3,021.

Despite the recent surge in cases, Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic schools will start on time in August with kids in the classroom. But Edwards says the school experience will be different, as steps will be taken to make sure children do not gather in large groups…
cut 12 (04) “….having school assemblies”
More information on the upcoming school year will be released tomorrow at six o’ clock PM when new Education Superintendent Cade Brumley speaks to the Senate Education Committee.

A Tuesday morning crash in Zachary claimed the life of an 11-year-old and resulted in the arrest of 27-year-old Treasure Charles of Gonzales. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Charles was on US Hwy 61 in a box truck when she struck a disabled vehicle in the roadway.
Cut 14 (07) “…killed upon impact.”
The deceased child has been identified as Wayne Ford of Baton Rouge, while Charles is facing several charges including negligent homicide.

State Fire Marshal deputies will perform random courtesy visits to businesses in an effort to help owners better comply with COVID spread mitigation restrictions. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they will visit various businesses with the goal of increasing compliance.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…they’re not”
Browning says most businesses are doing their best to be compliant. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack agrees and says owners want to limit COVID spread because it’s good for business….
cut 6 (08) “….customers”
The state health department reported its largest-one day surge in coronavirus cases yesterday since April 7, as 1,356 positive tests were recorded.

Governor Edwards expects the upcoming school year to start on time, with kids back in the classroom. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Tomorrow night at 6 o’clock, Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley will tell the Senate Education Committee his plan for reopening K-12 schools.

We’re a week away from the end of the special session and lawmakers still have a lot on their plate including passing a budget for the fiscal year starting July 1^st. The budget’s next steps will continue today in the Senate Finance Committee, where more specifics in the 34 billion dollar spending plan will be ironed out. Lapolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford expects the committee will approve it for full Senate consideration, but notes crafting a budget isn’t easy right now with so many potentially substantial COVID relief tax breaks still in consideration. But at least…

Cut 8 (11) “…to walk.”

Several of the larger tax break bills headed to the Senate floor have been redirected back to Senate Finance for further review after winning approval in another committee.

Federal relief dollars plugged most of the, at one point, billion-dollar shortfall, but some cuts in healthcare and higher ed are still planned. Alford says early year promises for more early childhood education funding and teacher pay raises had to be abandoned as well.

Cut 9 (07) “…dollars.”

A sweeping majority of the House approves a bill that would block public and private schools from civil suits based on COVID exposure to students and staff. The legislation is retroactive to March 11^th and will come into play soon as Governor Edwards expects the upcoming school year will start on time.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The state continues its troubling trend in new COVID cases, posting the highest single-day increase in new cases since April 7^th with 1,356 new positive tests. The increased numbers suggest community spread is accelerating due to another day of increased hospitalizations of COVID patients, and the over seven percent positive rate for tests conducted. Ventilator use also increased by 14.

The state is monitoring an alarming trend of COVID-19 case numbers increasing among 18 to 29-year-olds in the state. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress is working on another round of federal economic relief but feels the 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit must be changed. Cassidy says the unemployed must not be allowed to collect more in unemployment benefits than they made at their last job.

Cut 12 (06) “…society”

Cassidy says one of his constituents says the unemployment benefits are making it difficult to staff their business as the economy begins to reopen.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. Over 51,000 fishing licenses were sold in May 2020 compared to over 38,000 in May 2019. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the purchase of a license will not break the bank and can be done at one of the LDWF’s approved vendors or online at WLF.LA.gov.

Cut 11 (05) “…your actual license.”

Young people ages 18 to 29 lead the state in positive COVID-19 cases for a total of just under nine thousand. That’s approximately 19-hundred more than those 60 and older. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billoux says the increase among 18 to 29-year-olds is concerning because of the impact they can have on their families.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…across our state”

Five people are dead following a crash on LA Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says it started when a Ford pickup driven by 21-year-old Derrick Kyle, Jr., of Cottonport crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming van.

Cut 6 (12) “…could have happened.”

Kyle and one of his passengers were killed in the crash. Three of the seven people in the van also did not survive.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress is working on another round of federal economic relief but feels the 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit must be changed. Cassidy says instead of pushing for additional federal benefits he’d like to see unemployed workers moved into job openings that are becoming available.

Cut 14 (10) “…employed”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the uptick began in the days following the Governor’s stay at home order in March.

Cut 9 (10) “…engaging in fishing.”

Over 51,000 fishing licenses were sold in May 2020 compared to over 38,000 in May 2019. June is currently on track to continue the sales trend.

The state reported an alarming daily increase of COVID-19 case numbers up by 1,356 from the previous day. The state had the third-largest single-week increase in the cases last week, beaten only by the first two weeks of April. Hospitalizations also increased from the previous day by 16 for a total of 646. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billoux says the upward trend is concerning.

Cut 5 (08)  “…healthcare capacities”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says fishing is a great activity to remain social while keeping a distance from others.

Cut 10 (07) “…go enjoy that.”

McClinton says the uptick in fishing licenses began in March after the Governor’s Stay At Home Order.

A Monday crash claims the lives of five people in Cottonport after a pickup truck crosses the centerline, slamming head-on into an oncoming van. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

A Shreveport man faces charges of animal cruelty after several hundred heads of cattle were discovered suffering from starvation and neglect. The Caddo Parish Sherriff’s office says 49-year old Tremecius Dixon was arrested this morning after an investigation on his property discovered the carcasses of at least 10 cattle, the remaining 250 were malnourished and lacked adequate water supply. Bond is set at 25-thousand dollars.

Young people ages 18 to 29 lead the state in positive COVID-19 cases for a total of just under nine thousand. That’s approximately 19 hundred more than those 60 and older. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billoux says the uptick could due to the age group returning the workforce or a misconception about the virus.

Cut 3 (12) ”…than the flu”  

New cases for the state increased today by 1,356

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress is working on another round of federal economic relief but feels the 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit must be changed. Cassidy says one of his constituents says the unemployment benefits are making it difficult to staff their business as the economy begins to reopen.

Cut 13 (07) “…work.”  

Five people are dead, and six others are injured following a three-vehicle crash on LA Highway 29 in Cottonport. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says it started when a Ford pickup crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming van. Troop E Troopers have investigated 25 fatal crashes resulting in 31 fatalities so far in 2020.  Wallace says the message to the public is just to be aware of what is going on when you are on the road.

Cut 8 (07) “…of your surroundings.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the uptick began in the days following the Governor’s stay at home order. McClinton says the purchase of a license will not break the bank and can be done at one of the LDWF’s approved vendors or online at WLF.LA.gov.

Cut 11 (05) “…your actual license.”

The state is monitoring an alarming trend of COVID-19 case numbers increasing among 18 to 29-year-olds in the state. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

The state reports 1,356 new COVID-19 cases today, the highest single-day increase since April 7^th. Hospitalizations up by 16 to 646 and vent usage up by 14 to 83. Total fatalities: 3,021, up by 17.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the uptick began in the days following the Governor’s stay at home order in March.

Cut 9 (10) “…engaging in fishing.”

Over 51,000 fishing licenses were sold in May 2020 compared to over 38,000 in May 2019. June is currently on track to continue the sales trend.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress is working on another round of federal economic relief but feels the 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit must be changed.

Cassidy says the unemployed must not be allowed to collect more in unemployment benefits than they made at their last job.

Cut 12 (06) “…society”

The state reports 1,356 new COVID-19 cases today, the highest single-day increase since April 7^th. Hospitalizations up by 16 to 646 and vent usage up by 14 to 83. Governor Edwards says the public needs to do a better job practicing social distancing and he says there are some businesses that are not operating responsibly. Edwards says the state has not shutdown or revoked any permits, but…
Cut 9 (11) “…option for us.”
Louisiana will remain in phase two until at least late July.

Five people are dead and six others are injured following a three-vehicle crash on LA Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says it started when a Ford pickup crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming van, killing the pickup driver and a passenger.Wallace says the van that was hit head-on was carrying seven passengers.

Cut 7 (08) “…a local hospital.”

State leaders warn a 300 million dollar small business grant program set to open sometime in July could go fast. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The state will not move into phase three of reopening the economy as a result of an increase in cases and hospitalizations. Governor Edwards says clusters of cases have developed that are tied to bars near the LSU campus and graduation parties in the New Orleans area. Edwards is asking for residents and businesses to do better in stopping the spread…
cut 28 (06) “…better”

Five people are dead and six others are injured following a three-vehicle crash on LA Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says it started when a Ford pickup driven by 21-year-old Derrick Kyle, Jr., of Cottonport crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming van.
Cut 6 (12) “…could have happened.”
Kyle and a 20-year-old passenger are among the five dead.

A giant plume of Saharan dust from Africa is expected to arrive in Louisiana either tomorrow or Thursday. The dust can pose a problem for those who suffer from asthma and allergies. The head of environmental services at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor James Diaz, says these individuals should wear a face covering when outside.
Cut 12 (12) “…pre-existing lung condition.”

The Louisiana Senate has approved another tort reform bill that seeks to lower auto insurance rates by changing how the state’s legal system handles automobile accident claims. Senator Heath Cloud a Republican from Evangeline Parish is like many Democrats who believes the bill will not lower auto insurance rates…
cut 15 (12) “…crisis”
But the measure still heads to the House floor for final legislative passasge.