House and Senate Governmental Affairs committees meet today as Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin brings forward another plan that will increase mail-in voting options for the summer elections. Republican lawmakers rejected the first plan, but reportedly support this new proposal.

Senator John Kennedy blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the delay in replenishing funding for the Paycheck Protection Program. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is seeking public input on how the stay at home order has affected their physical activity, diet, sleep, and well-being. Doctor Leanne Redman says it’s possible the stay at home order has actually improved a person’s health…
cut 6 (08) “…working at home”
Redman says anyone over the age of 18 can participate in the survey, just go to pbrc.edu/covid19andyou.

Popeyes is donating over one-million meals to a New Orleans food bank. Governor John Bel Edwards says he spoke to the C-E-O of the fried chicken restaurant chain…
cut 12 (10) “…fried chicken”
But Edwards also admitted that he’s not been exercising as much since the COVID-19 crisis started.

Governor John Bel Edwards Resilient Louisiana Commission meets for the first time today. The governor formed the task force to assist him in rebuilding the economy once restrictions are lifted on the stay at home order. Edwards says the criteria for reopening remain firm, a measured 14-day period of declining cases, and increased hospital capacity…
cut 11 (06) “….illness”
The governor remains hopeful that restrictions will be loosened on May first.

The U-S Senate has approved a 483-billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will fund the Paycheck Protection Program. The small business loan program ran out of money last week. Senator John Kennedy says until businesses re-open, they can’t spend enough to save the economy…
cut 15 (07) “….so can poverty”
The U-S House is expected to vote tomorrow on this latest coronavirus aid package.

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing for 500-billion dollars in federal aid for state and local governments who are battling the coronavirus and also seeing tax revenues dwindle because of the extended economic shutdown…
CUT 9 (09) “….for lost revenue”
New Orleans, Monroe, Lafayette, and Crowley are among the cities reporting financial difficulties.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying lifestyle changes as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Researcher Leanne Redman says they are encouraging the public to take their 15-minute online survey that asks participants about work changes, physical activity, diet, sleep, and well-being.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…neighborhoods in general.”
Redman says anyone over the age of 18 can participate in the survey, just go to pbrc.edu/covid19andyou.

A protest over the state’s stay at home order is planned for Saturday at the Louisiana State Capitol. But Governor John Bel Edwards says complaints about the shutdown will not shake him from the position that the stay at home order will hold until April 30th…
cut 10 (11) “…safety”
But he says if he was a betting man he’d bet a dollar that the statewide restrictions come May 1st will not be the same as they are today. His economic resilient Louisiana Commission meets for the first time today.

Senator Bill Cassidy is working on legislation that would provide state and local governments with financial aid. Cassidy says Congress has been focused on helping people and small businesses, but local governments are struggling to fund basic services, like the fire department…
cut 8 (07) “….to be controlled”
Monroe, Lafayette, and Crowley are among the cities reporting financial difficulties.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying lifestyle changes as a result of social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions through an online survey. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Controversial Pastor Tony Spell of the Life Tabernacle Church in Central is out on bond today after he was arrested on an assault charge. Police say Spell nearly hit a protester with a church bus. Spell is also facing misdemeanors for violating the state’s order that bans large gatherings. The Reverend has said the crowd-size restriction is an attack on religion.

Governor John Bel Edwards says there’s a good chance on May first he’ll lift some of the stay at home restrictions. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana reported 77 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday bringing the state’s total to 1,405. 56-percent of the fatal victims in Louisiana are black and 34-percent are white.

The northern half of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk of severe weather today, while there’s a slight chance severe weather for most of south Louisiana.

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 blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the delay.
Cut 13 (09) “…were not emergencies.”
Pelosi told P-B-S they needed to do more and adjust for those who were underserved by the previous relief package.

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, 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 Pastor of a suburban Baton Rouge church that’s made national news for defying the Governor’s ban on large gatherings was arrested earlier today for allegedly backing his church bus towards a protestor. Tony Spell’s attorney Joe Long says that’s not stopping him from holding 7:30 mass tonight, and Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says it’s been frustrating dealing with the pastor.

Cut 8 (09) “…President’s order”

Congress agrees to pass a 450 billion dollar aid package aimed at refilling the recently depleted payroll protection program that funneled forgivable SBA loans to small businesses. Congressman Garret Graves says the program is remarkable, and one of the most efficient he’s ever seen…

Cut 10 (12) “…day.”

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money, and LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says producers who hired foreign labor to bring in the catch are still on the hook to pay those workers for a guaranteed amount of a full season’s work due to contractual obligations.

Cut 14 (10) “…pay for that.”

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says only about 30 percent of childcare centers are still open, and even the ones still open are bleeding cash.

Cut 3 (10)  “…workers”  

A report indicates child care providers have already experienced a 1.7 million dollar loss in revenue since the shutdown began.

Defiant Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell is arrested in Central for allegedly backing a church bus into the direction of a protestor Sunday. Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the pastor was only going to confront the protestor not run him over.
Cut 7 (12) “drove off”
Spell was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants.

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. The normal crawfish production season starts near the end of December and will go through the middle of June, but LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says some producers have already pulled the plug on their season or will end it by the first week of May because of prices falling below their breakeven point.

Cut 13 (11) “…of market outlet.”

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Applicants must complete an assistance form by Thursday, and the money is expected to be disbursed in early May. One-third of providers say they’ll have to close permanently if the state remains shutdown, and Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says we can’t afford to lose them.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of making payroll.”

The money comes courtesy of the congressionally passed CARES Act.

Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic Congress will approve additional funding for a program designed to help small businesses maintain payroll. Graves says the program has bipartisan support but it’s being held up by politicians who want to tie it to pet projects.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

Graves says if the program isn’t replenished by the end of the month then everyone in Congress should be thrown out.

The Pastor of Life Tabernacle Church who continues to hold large church services was arrested at the Central Police Department after he allegedly tried to run over a protestor Sunday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Louisiana’s COVID-19 death toll increases by 77 in the latest report, rising to 1,405. Total cases: 24,854… up by 331. Hospitalizations increases to 1,798, up by 4.

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Applicants must complete an assistance form by Thursday, and the money is expected to be disbursed in early May. Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says it’s a vital injection of funds.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…have to take.”

The money comes courtesy of the congressionally passed CARES Act.
A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says a dip in demand has resulted in lost income of about $500 per acre.

Cut 12 (07) “…farm gate value.”

The survey findings are being used to showcase the pandemic’s impact on the industry to the US Department of Agriculture and Louisiana congressional delegation.

Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell was arrested for aggravated assault, this morning. Police allege Spell backed a bus in the direction of a protester in front of his suburban Baton Rouge church Sunday. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says Spell wanted to be arrested at his church with a press conference, but that wasn’t going to happen.

Cut 6 (11) “…to here”

Spell has posted bond and plans to hold services tonight.

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10-million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian (Bog-eh-ohn) says only about 30 percent of childcare centers are still open, and even the ones still open are bleeding cash.

Cut 3 (08)  “…and it happens.”  

Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic Congress will approve additional funding for a program designed to help small businesses. The 350-billion-dollar program ran out of money after 13 days. It offers forgivable loans to companies with fewer than 500 employees who spend 75 percent of their loan allotment on payroll. Graves says it was highly popular.

Cut 10 (05) “…day.”

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says producers who hired foreign labor to bring in the catch are still on the hook to pay those workers for a guaranteed amount of a full season’s work due to contractual obligations.

Cut 14 (07) “…pay for that.”

After his arrest, this morning in Central for allegedly backing a church bus in the direction of a protester Sunday, Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell has posted bond. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran was questioned if he thought today’s arrest would deter Spell from holding large services in the future.

Cut 8 (09) “…President’s order”

Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the church will hold services tonight as usual.

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says a dip in demand has resulted in lost income of about $500 per acre.

Cut 12 (07) “…farm gate value.”

The survey findings are being used to showcase the pandemic’s impact on the industry to the US Department of Agriculture and Louisiana congressional delegation.

The Louisiana Department of Education is asking childcare providers impacted by the economic shutdown to apply for a piece of a 10-million-dollar federal award. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

According to the latest numbers the state’s death toll increases by 77 from COVID-19, rising to 1,405. Total cases: 24,854… up by 331. Hospitalizations increased by 4 to 1,798.

Defiant Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell is arrested in Central for allegedly backing a church bus into the direction of a protestor Sunday. Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the pastor was only going to confront the protestor not run him over.
Cut 7 (12) “drove off”
Spell was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants. Long says the church plans to hold services tonight as usual.
A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says a dip in demand has resulted in lost income of about $500 per acre.
Cut 12 (07) “…farm gate value.”

Governor Edwards gives the go-ahead for some time-sensitive elective medical procedures that have been canceled under the stay at home order to resume next Monday. The relaxed restrictions are a result of lessening pressure on hospitals due to a flattening of the curve. National reports show a growing problem of people canceling vital treatments that are needed for chronic issues. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says this order helps encourage those folks to get back to a doctor.

Cut 16  (11)  “…corona” 

Louisiana’s COVID-19 death toll increases by 77 in the latest report, rising to 1,405. Total cases: 24,854… up by 331.