Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll likely make an announcement early next week on what restrictions will be lifted when the current stay-at-home order expires on April 30th. Edwards says as we get ready for a new normal, residents should get used to wearing masks in public places…
cut 11 (08) “…covering”
Edwards says the state is halfway through a 14-day period of a downward trajectory of new cases which is needed to partially reopen the economy.

Since March 27th, the Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid $561 million in unemployment benefits to 302,000 claimants. LWC executive director Ava Dejoie says when you compare the numbers to last year, it shows the massive impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the state’s workforce.
Cut 13 (09) “…short of mindblowing.”

We are receiving reports about storm-related deaths in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. We’ll have more on this in future newscasts.

Tulane University is launching a study to see if hydroxychloroquine can prevent transmission in people exposed to COVID-19. Tulane School of Medicine Infectious Disease Epidemiologist Doctor Patricia Kissinger says if you’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case and you’re interested, they’ll have you do a telemedicine conference, then…
cut 8 (08) “…day 28”
Tulane hopes to enroll 500 local participants.

There is no Festival International in downtown Lafayette this weekend, but a three-day virtual music festival will begin tomorrow night. Festival spokesperson Carly Viator says their famous festival punch will also be available…
cut 5 (09) “…souvenir cups”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana residents to “mask up” which means wearing a face mask in public places. Edwards says wearing a mask reduces the chances of asymptomatic, or mildly symptomatic people unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.
Cut 10 (06) “for them”
Edwards has also indicated that early next week he’ll announce what restrictions will be lifted when the current stay-at-home order expires on April 30th.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid out 561-million dollars in total benefits to 302-thousand Louisianans whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Many have found it difficult to file claims or receive their benefits on a timely basis, but L-W-C executive director Ava Dejoie says they are adding an additional server to its network…
cut 15 (07) “…we can”

Tulane will conduct a clinical trial to see whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to prevent COVID-19 cases. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Tonight is the night for former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who is expected to be selected with the number one pick in the NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

The latest numbers from the state are in and currently, the state has recorded 25,258 positive cases of COVID-19. Up 404 from the previous day. And is now reporting 1,473 fatalities up 68 from Tuesday.

A bill that would expand mail-in voting for the July and August elections heads to the full House and Senate. The legislation expands voting options, doubles the early voting period, and more, but it didn’t have unanimous support. In House Governmental Affairs, State Representative Rodney Schamerhorn of Vernon Parish says his constituents oppose any election rule changes.

Cut 7 (08) “determined”

The Resilient Louisiana Commission began its work today in coming up with recommendations on how the state can jump-start its shuttered economy with a few words from the Governor…

Cut 14 (06) “…innovation.”

A UL Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation receives the national spotlight from CBS.  Sewing with Savoie founder Christine Savoie set up a Facebook page for the operation to help in distributing sewing patterns, take requests, and donations of resources. Savoie says it has been rewarding seeing the pictures of people wearing some of the different masks she has made.

Cut 5 (12)  “…some thin mints.”

Oil has rebounded from its price earlier this week in the negatives, but it’s unlikely to make much of a difference at the pump. Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan predicts prices could drop another twenty to forty cents a gallon.

Cut 10 (07) “…the country.”

As some states start to lift their stay at home orders and the demand for gas slowly increases, DeHaan says he doesn’t expect to see a big jump in pump prices.

The markets remain volatile and the price of oil continues to plummet. According to Gas Buddy the average price of gasoline in Louisiana is $1.64 a gallon today. Head of Petroleum Analysis at Gas Buddy Patrick DeHaan says the average price is down about a nickel from last week.
Cut 9 (09) “selling pressure.″
DeHaan says there have been some prices as low as $1.05 a gallon in New Orleans.

A proposal for expanded mail-in ballot voting in the July and August elections clears key Legislative committees. The legislation expands voting options, doubles the early voting period, and more. Democrat Royce Duplessis, a state representative from New Orleans,  ultimately backed the plan but raised concerns to Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin about requiring residents to disclose health conditions to get mail-in ballots, and…

Cut 8 (10) “…manner”

The Resilient Louisiana Commission began its work today in coming up with recommendations on how the state can jump-start its shuttered economy. The commission will examine 15 different sectors of Louisiana’s economy that include energy, manufacturing, health care, tourism, and education and provide the governor with strategies on how they can be more resilient. Governor Edwards gave the panel words of encouragement…

Cut 14 (06) “…innovation.”

Edwards says he plans to announce early next week what restrictions will be in place starting on May 1st.

A UL Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation receives the national spotlight from CBS.  Sewing with Savoy founder Christine Savoy says requests for masks have picked up with the CDC now recommending face masks and she says she’s got a tight-knit group of friends helping to contribute to the assembly of hundreds of masks.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…a small group.”

Legislative committees approve a plan to allow expanded use of mail-in ballots for the July and August elections. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

According to the department of health the state has recorded 25,258 positive cases of COVID-19. Up 404 And is now reporting 1,473 fatalities up 68. Of the fatalities reported 32-percent are from nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state.

The Resilient Louisiana Commission meetings today coming up with recommendations on how the state can jump-start its shuttered economy. Governor Edwards says some businesses could re-open on May 1st, if the state sees a downward trajectory in COVID-19 cases, reported flu-like symptoms and hospitalizations. But the governor says life will not return to pre-COVID right away

Cut 13 (12) “…economy too.”

Edwards says he plans to announce early next week what restrictions will be in place starting on May 1st.

A UL Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation receives the national spotlight from CBS.  Sewing with Savoie founder Christine Savoie says requests for masks have picked up with the CDC recommendations.

Cut 3 (12)  “…to feel protected.”  

The Resilient Louisiana Commission began its work today in coming up with recommendations on how the state can jump-start its shuttered economy. Governor Edwards says great ideas are needed from this 18-member panel…

Cut 12 (11) “…what you do.”

Edwards says he plans to announce early next week what restrictions will be in place starting on May 1st.

According to Gas Buddy, the average price of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $1.64 a gallon and some service stations are selling gas for close to a dollar a gallon. Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says as some states start to lift their stay at home orders and the demand for gas slowly increases, he doesn’t expect to see a jump in prices.

Cut 11 (08) “…to this”

A proposal for expanded mail-in ballot voting in the July and August elections clears key Legislative committees. It also moves voting booths out of nursing homes and will cost about four million dollars. Passage wasn’t unanimous. In the House Governmental Affairs Committee, Vernon Parish Representative Rodney Schamerhorn says his constituents oppose any election rule changes.

Cut 7 (08) “determined”

It still needs full Senate and House approval which will be voted on by mail.

A UL Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation receives the national spotlight from CBS.  Sewing with Savoie founder Christine Savoie set up a Facebook page for the operation.  She says it’s been rewarding seeing pictures of people wearing her masks.

Cut 5 (06)  “…alligators.”

According to Gas Buddy the average price of gasoline in Louisiana is $1.64 a gallon today and in some areas of the state it’s getting close to a dollar a gallon. Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan predicts prices could drop another twenty to forty cents a gallon in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (07) “…the country.”

There have been some prices as low as $1.05 a gallon already in New Orleans.

A proposal for expanded mail-in ballot voting in the July and August elections clears key Legislative committees. The legislation expands voting options, doubles the early voting period, and more. Houma Representative Tanner McGee says it is not perfect, but AG Jeff Landry backs the plan.

Cut 6 (08) “…process”

According to the department of health the state has recorded 25,258 positive cases of COVID-19. Up 404 from the previous day. And is now reporting 1,473 fatalities up 68 from Tuesday.

Of the fatalities reported 32-percent are from nursing homes and adult residential facilities in the state.

A U-L Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation is receiving national attention. Kevin Barnhart has more on Sewing with Savoy

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The latest numbers from the state are in and currently, the state has recorded 25,258 positive cases of COVID-19. Up 404 from the previous day. And is now reporting 1,473 fatalities up 68 from Tuesday.

Current hospitalizations are 1747, a reduction of 51 and vent usage is also down by 10 to 287.

The markets remain volatile and the price of oil continues to plummet. According to Gas Buddy the average price of gasoline in Louisiana is $1.64 a gallon today. Head of Petroleum Analysis at Gas Buddy Patrick DeHaan says the average price is down about a nickel from last week.

Cut 9 :09 selling pressure

DeHaan says there have been some prices as low as $1.05 a gallon in New Orleans.

Louisiana saw small crowds of protesters at the Capitol over the weekend calling for the state to end its stay at home order, with more protests apparently set for this weekend. Governor Edwards says those complaints about the shutdown won’t shake him from the position that the stay at home order will hold until April 30^th.

Cut 10 (11) “safety”

A UL Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation receives the national spotlight from CBS.  Sewing with Savoy founder Christine Savoy says requests for masks have picked up with the CDC now recommending face masks and she says she’s got a tight-knit group of friends helping to contribute to the assembly of hundreds of masks.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…a small group.”

A proposal for expanded mail-in ballot voting in the July elections clears the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The legislation expands voting options, doubles the early voting period, and more. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says it’ll cost just over four million dollars, and provides…
Cut 6 (08) “…process”
The bill also moves voting booths out of nursing homes and funds some preventative measures to limit viral spread at voting locations.

A UL Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation receives the national spotlight from CBS.  Sewing with Savoie founder Christine Savoie says requests for masks have picked up with the CDC now recommending wearing a face covering when in public.

Cut 3 (12)  “…to feel protected.”  

The group so far has assembled nearly 600 masks.

The U-S Senate has approved a $483 billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will replenish funding for a small business loan program that ran out of money.  Senator John Kennedy blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the delay.

Cut 13 (09) “…were not emergencies.”

Kennedy says the one-week delay in replenishing the funding will cost the nation thousands of small businesses and calls Pelosi’s actions wildly irresponsible.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying lifestyle changes as a result of social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions.  Researcher Leanne Redman says a 15-minute online survey includes questions about work changes, physical activity, diet, sleep, and well-being.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…neighborhoods in general.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing for a 500 billion dollar relief package in Congress aimed at aiding local and state governments facing coronavirus related fiscal cliffs. News outlets are reporting Lafayette is 18-million dollars over budget and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says his city is one-million dollars in the red. Cassidy says these cities need help….
cut 7 (08) “….that you want”
The City of Crowley is expecting a one-million-dollar plus shortfall and announced the layoffs of 15 employees.

The U-S Senate has approved a $483 billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will replenish funding for a small business loan program that ran out of money last week. Senator John Kennedy this funding could have been approved a week earlier if it was not for not House Speaker Nancy Pelosi…
Cut 14 (08) “…rear end”
Pelosi told P-B-S they needed to do more and adjust for those who were underserved by the previous relief package.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is using an online survey to study lifestyle changes as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.

There’s an enhanced risk of severe weather this afternoon and into tonight for the northern half of the state. Forecasters are concerned about damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes, and localized flash flooding. A flash flood watch is in effect for cities north of Alexandria from two o’clock today until tomorrow morning.