Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana will remain in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening of the economy because of a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Edwards says they anticipated an increase in cases with more testing and more businesses opening up, but there’s a percentage of the public who are not doing their part as well…
cut 7 (10) “….today”
Phase 2 will last until at least July 24.

A cloud of Saharan dust from Africa is expected to arrive in Louisiana by tomorrow or Thursday. The dust consists of tiny mineral rock particles. The head of environmental sciences at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. James Diaz, says the dust poses a risk to those with asthma.
Cut 10 (10) “…of getting COVID-19.”
He says those with asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and heart conditions should be most cautious.

Tort reform legislation clears the Senate and is headed back to the House, but without a provision requiring insurers to lower rates. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police is investigating a three-vehicle crash that killed five people and six others in Cottonport on Highway 29 yesterday. Investigators say a 21-year-old driver crossed the center line and hit another vehicle head-on. A Toyota Corolla then slammed into one of the vehicles. The ages of the fatal crash victims range from 20-years-old to 60-years-old.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state will remain in Phase two of coronavirus restrictions because of a spike in cases.
cut 8 (10) “…Orleans and elsewhere”
Edwards is asking everyone to do a better job of social distancing and wearing masks in public, especially young adults. The state health department says 18 to 29-year-olds is the age group with the most positive cases.

The full Senate has approved a tort reform bill that supporters will lead to lower auto insurance rates by changing the state’s legal climate. But Democrats fumed over the legislation’s lack of any wording requiring auto insurance rates to go down if the bill were to pass. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau…
Cut 14 (08) “…support it”
The measure heads back to the House to see if they agree to Senate changes.

A state lawmaker is concerned a newly created 300 million dollar small business grant program will run out of money quickly after it starts handing out checks next month. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Lafayette Police say an 18-year-old from Kaplan is in critical condition after he was stabbed in the neck and wrists. The victim’s family says it was a hate crime. Police have not drawn that conclusion, but they’ve arrested 19-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette. The family for Holden White say Seneca attacked White because he’s an advocate of the L-G-B-T-Q community.

Governor Edwards is alarmed by the rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, which means the state will not move to Phase Three of reopening. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state surpassed over 50-thousand positive coronavirus cases and three-thousand deaths.

A three-vehicle crash killed five people and injured six others in the Avoyelles Parish town of Cottonport yesterday. The multi-vehicle fatal crash happened on Highway 29 around 11:30 AM. State Police say it started when a 21-year-old driver crossed the center line and hit another vehicle head-on.

State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s his goal to begin handing out grant checks of up to 15-thousand dollars to small businesses who qualify for a new small business grant program set up by lawmakers during the regular session. Schroder hopes to have a consultant selected by July 4th for the 300-million dollar program…
cut 6 (09) “…that now”

A giant plume of Saharan dust from Africa is expected to arrive in Louisiana either tomorrow or Thursday. The dusty layer of air can produce vivid sunsets but the dust can be 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.”

Louisiana will remain in phase two until late July as officials are concerned with a rising number of cases and hospitalizations. 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

State Treasurer John Schroder tells lawmakers he hopes grants of up to 15-thousand dollars could be in the hands of some small businesses next month. Schroder says there are an estimated 450-thousand businesses eligible and the state has 300-million dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid to spend. But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt wonders if there’s enough money to go around…
cut 5 (09) “….business”

The Senate has passed a watered-down lawsuit reform bill that supporters believe may help lower auto insurance rates. The measure lowers the jury trial threshold to 10,000 dollars, prevents insurance company’s names from being mentioned in court, and removes a gag order on whether a crash victim was wearing a seat belt. Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says it’s not as strong as past efforts, but…
Cut 13 (04) “…triple”
The measure still needs House approval.

A cloud of Saharahan dust could start impacting Louisiana’s air quality starting tomorrow. The head of environmental sciences at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor James Diaz, says this is not good news for those who suffer from asthma or allergy suffers…
cut 11 (10) “….a dust particle”
Diaz is concerned the Saharahan dust can increase the transmission of COVID-19.

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana will remain in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening of the economy because of a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Edwards says they anticipated an increase in cases with more testing and more businesses opening up, but there’s a percentage of the public who are not doing their part as well…
cut 7 (10) “….today”
Edwards says the state will continue to stay in Phase 2 until at least July 24.

State Treasurer John Schroder tells lawmakers he’s looking to distribute grants of up to 15-thousand dollars to small businesses by December. The money is coming from federal coronavirus relief aid and Schroder says there are an estimated 450-thousand small businesses who could be eligible…
cut 4 (06) “….happens”
This small business grant program is the result of legislation approved in the regular session.

A cloud of Saharan dust is crossing the Atlantic and is set to arrive in Louisiana by Wednesday bringing with it more COVID-19 concerns. The dust consists of tiny mineral rock particles from Africa. While it can produce vivid sunsets, the head of environmental sciences at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. James Diaz, says it poses a risk to those with underlying health conditions.
Cut 10 (10) “…of getting COVID-19.”
Those with asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and heart conditions should be most cautious.

State Police say five people were killed and six injured in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish yesterday.  Investigators say the incident began when a 21-year-old driver crossed the center line and hit another vehicle head-on. A Toyota Corolla then slammed into one of the vehicles. The ages of the fatal crash victims range from 20-years-old to 60-years-old.

The latest attempt at lawsuit reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates clears the Senate and is headed to the House, this time with far less reaching reforms than previous attempts that passed but lacked the votes to override a veto. The bill lowers the jury trial threshold to 10,000 dollars, prevents insurance company’s names from being mentioned in court, and removes a gag order on whether a crash victim was wearing a seat belt.  Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says it’s not as strong as past efforts, but…

Cut 13 (04) “…triple” 

Democrats fumed over the legislation’s lack of any wording requiring auto insurance rates to go down if the bill were to pass. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says it does nothing for drivers…

Cut 14 (08) “…support it”

The vote was 29-9 and the bill will now return to the House for a final vote.

Legislation signed into law by Governor Edwards authorizing a 300 million dollar small business grant program funded by federal relief dollars is getting closer to reality. The program is expected to be online sometime next month, but has limited funds so State Treasurer John Schroder encourages businesses to apply the moment applications start being accepted because it’s first come first served…

Cut 6 (08) “…money”

For the first 21 days, only businesses with one to forty-nine employees as of March 1^st that have received no federal aid can apply.

A big tax break for the casino industry clears House Ways and Means and is headed for final passage on the House floor. The 83-million dollar five-year package would allow each casino to give customers five-million dollars in free promotional play wagers without having to pay state taxes on those amounts. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says that’ll get warm bodies back into casino seats, generating revenue for the state…

Cut 4 (08)_ “…we’re doing” PM

Governor Edwards announces the state will not move into Phase 3 of reopening its economy and it will remain in Phase 2 for another 28 days. Edwards says Louisiana is one of 23 states experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations are also on the rise…

Cut 15 (13) “…be hospitalized.” 

Louisiana saw its biggest single-day hospitalization increase since April today.

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says this treatment is not cost-effective enough to replace a vaccine, but…

Cut 13 (10) “…candidates.”  

Data from the study indicates patients would receive a dose of the antibody every one to two weeks to maintain immunity.

A Senate-approved bill that would provide an 83-million dollar tax break over five years for the state’s casinos and race tracks moved closer to final passage as the House Ways and Means Committee approved it today. Crowley Representative John Stefanski voiced his support for the bill and the gaming industry

Cut 3 (11) ”…good idea”  

The legislation would allow each casino to give customers five-million dollars in free promotional play wagers without having to pay state taxes on those amounts.

The Department of Health is aiming to prevent crisis situations with the launch of the Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line. Assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says this line is aimed at relapse prevention in those struggling with stress during the pandemic.

Cut 6 (12) “…or co-occurring disorders.”

Governor Edwards announces the state will not move into Phase 3 of reopening its economy and it will remain in Phase 2 for another 28 days. Edwards made the announcement on the day Louisiana surpassed 50-thousand COVID-19 cases and three-thousand deaths

Cut 16 (10) “…COVID-19”

Edwards says Louisiana is one of 23 states experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations are also on the rise…

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says their protein, MDR504, is able to get into the lungs and neutralize coronavirus in the place where it is most likely to do damage.

Cut 12 (06) “…cells”

Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says for this election, Louisiana has expanded the acceptable reasons for eligible voters to request an absentee ballot

Cut 9 (09) “…career”

A Senate-approved bill that would provide an 83-million dollar tax break over five years for the state’s casinos and race tracks moved closer to final passage as the House Ways and Means Committee approved it today. There are some lawmakers who oppose tax breaks for businesses because the state is experiencing a decline in revenues. But bill author Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says providing a tax break on promotional play wagers will help the gaming industry bounce back from the COVID shutdown.

Cut 5 (10)  “…state revenue”

Governor Edwards announces the state will not move into Phase 3 of reopening its economy and it will remain in Phase 2 for another 28 days. Edwards says Louisiana is one of 23 states experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations are also on the rise…

Cut 15 (13) “…be hospitalized.” 

Louisiana saw its biggest single-day hospitalization increase since April today.

Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says for this election, Louisiana has expanded the acceptable reasons for eligible voters to request an absentee ballot

Cut 9 (09) “…career”

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says the hope is to get this treatment into human trials sometime in the fall, which is impressive considering they started work on MDR504 in March…

Cut 14 (08) “…project”

Kolls says their antibody protein, MDR504, is able to get into the lungs and neutralize coronavirus.

The Department of Health launches the Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line. Assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says this line is aimed at relapse prevention in those struggling with stress during the pandemic, and that those working the line are also equipped with the general information about COVID-19.

Cut 8 (06) “…lack of information.”

The phone number is 1-833-333-1132.

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state is heading into Phase Three this hour at his press conference, but Baton Rouge media is now reporting that his answer is likely to be that we will not be advancing to the next stage of economic reopening due to a recent spike in cases. That spike has led to today’s increase of 41 hospitalizations, the largest single-day increase since April.

The state also passed two major COVID milestones today, crossing the 50,000 total positive case line and going over 3,000 total COVID fatalities…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A House committee backs an 83 million dollar, five-year casino industry tax break that’s already cleared the Senate. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns’ legislation would allow each casino to give customers five-million dollars in free promotional play wagers without having to pay state taxes on those amounts. Johns says such a move will help attract people back to casinos, which would lead to more tax revenue from the gaming industry

Cut 4 (08)_ “…we’re doing”

The measure heads to the full House for more discussion.

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says this treatment is not cost-effective enough to replace a vaccine, but…

Cut 13 (10) “…candidates.”  

Data from the study indicates patients would receive a dose of the antibody every one to two weeks to maintain immunity.