Louisiana reports a slight increase in the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations today for the first time since April 13^th, and 32 more Louisianans are also reported to have died from COVID-19. To date 24,523 cases have been reported and 1,328 fatalities. 56 percent of the fatalities are African American.

Crude oil trading hits the lowest price in history. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

A Main Street America survey shows nearly 60-percent of small businesses in the state are in danger of closing permanently due to COVID-19 in the next six months. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is co-chair of the Resilient Louisiana Commission tasked with reopening businesses across the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…shops, etc”

Nungesser says the commission is looking at options of phases of reopening businesses.

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict, a decision likely to result in dozens of retrials in Louisiana. There are likely hundreds of people incarcerated in Louisiana due to non-unanimous verdicts whose cases are decided and whose appeals are done.  Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says for them…

Cut 10 (05) “…day.”

Louisiana reports a slight increase in the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations today for the first time since April 13^th, and 32 more Louisianans are also reported to have died from COVID-19.

New demographic data now shows 56 percent of COVID deaths in the state were African Americans, down from the 70 percent initially reported, and 56 percent of all patients to die had hypertension.

Oil prices have collapsed to the lowest point ever recorded as the economy screeches to a halt and an international price war rages on. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says at a just a few dollars a barrel many Louisiana wells are planning to shut off 100 percent of production because they can’t find a place to sell…

Cut 4 (12)_ “…have to take.”

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict, a decision likely to result in dozens of retrials in Louisiana. In 2018 Louisiana passed a constitutional amendment ending its practice of allowing non-unanimous verdicts, but Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the amendment was not retroactive…

Cut 9 (08) “trials.″

After the amendment passed Oregon remained the only state not to require unanimous jury verdicts.

Some schools are organizing drive-through pickup for caps, gowns, and class rings for juniors and seniors who are missing out on some of the seminal events of their high school years. Jostens sales rep Jim Rabb says his company is working with schools to establish drive-by locations where parents can bring their kids to get some semblance of pomp and circumstance.

Cut 10 (09) “possible.”

When adjusted for inflation, crude oil trading hits the lowest price in history. On Monday, West Texas Intermediate futures traded below $11 a barrel for the first time since 1986, reaching $10.63 early Monday morning. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the economic impact on oil is not surprising.
Cut 3 (10) “…in that range.”

Today is the 10 year anniversary of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

The number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators has declined from a high of 571 on April 4th down to 349. Assistant State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says I-C-U doctors have learned how to better treat the disease

Cut 14 (07) “…fluid.”
Some schools are organizing drive-through pickup for caps, gowns, and class rings for students who are missing out some of the memorable events of their high school years. Jostens sales rep Jim Rabb says they’ve taken precautions to maintain social distancing and all employees are wearing at least gloves. He says it’s not mandatory, but he’s requesting participants wear a mask…
Cut 12 (10) “possible.”

A Louisiana Tech freshman is 3-D printing a contraption for medical personnel intended to relieve the pressure on the ears from the elastic bands on face masks. Inspired by a Canadian boy scout’s invention she saw, Avereigh Barras recently started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of the shipping and manufacturing which she says has seen an abundance of support.
Cut 6 (07) “…do add up.”
Her invention has been distributed to more than 7 states.

Since April 4th, the number of patients on ventilators has declined from 571 to 349. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says critical care specialists are finding success in having the sickest coronavirus patients lay on their stomach, because it improves oxygen flow into their lungs…
cut 15 (14) “…working well”

Today marks ten years since the BP Oil Spill and environmental scars still exist. National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Restoration Director David Muth says the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was recovering as a species before 2010 but since then…
Cut 7 (09) “…effects.”
Muth says there are also fewer successful births of coastal bottlenose dolphins and corals in several locations have permanent oil damage.

A Louisiana Tech freshman is using a 3-D printer to make ear guards which medical personnel can use to relieve the pressure on the ears from the elastic bands on face masks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Vernon Parish authorities say numerous homes were damaged by the severe weather system that moved through the state yesterday. The National Weather Service is investigating to see if it was a tornado that caused damage in the Leesville area. Another round of severe weather is expected Wednesday.

The state health department says I-C-U doctors should receive credit for helping to lower the number of COVID-19 patients who need ventilators. On April 4th, the state reported 571 of their COVID-19 patients were on ventilators, now that number is 349. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter
Cut 13 (09) “…the country”

Today is the 10-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that killed eleven people and produced one of the largest environmental disasters in U-S history. National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Restoration Director David Muth says sea turtles, dolphins and corals have all been negatively impacted, but there have been some bright spots…
cut 9 (050 “…restored”
16-billion dollars in criminal and civil fines were made available for the restoration of the Gulf and another 12-billion dollars will be used through 2032.

High School seniors and juniors are missing out on spring graduation and ring ceremonies, but that’s not stopping them from getting their caps, gowns, and rings. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state department of corrections has announced its first inmate death from the coronavirus. The D-O-C says the victim was 69-year-old with underlying health conditions. The Angola prisoner was not identified, but officials say he was serving a life sentence for murder since 1978.

The number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators has declined from a high of 571 on April 4th down to 349. Assistant State Health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says I-C-U doctors have learned how to better treat the disease
Cut 14 (07) “…fluid.”

A Louisiana Tech freshman is 3-D printing ear guards for medical personnel that’s helping to relieve pressure on the ears from the elastic bands on face masks. Mechanical engineering major Avereigh Barras….
Cut 4 (12)_ “…it would be.”
Barras says she made one thousand ear guards in the first eight days and she sent them free of charge to 28 facilities in seven states.

Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that spewed nearly five million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Restoration Director David Muth says sea turtles and coastal bottlenose dolphins are a couple of species that have never been the same since…
cut 8 (11) “…dolphins”
Muth says the spill also killed off 17-percent of the Gulf’s Byrde Whales.

Some schools are organizing drive-through pickup for caps, gowns, and class rings for juniors and seniors who are missing out on some of the seminal events of their high school years. Jostens sales rep Jim Rabb…
Cut 10 (09) “possible.”

The state reported 29 additional deaths from COVID-19 yesterday bringing Louisiana’s death toll to 1,296. The number of cases grew by 348, bringing the total to 23,928. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized decreased by 13 to 1,748. And since April 4th, the number of patients on ventilators declined from 571 to 349. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says critical care specialists are finding success in having the sickest coronavirus patients lay on their stomach because it helps to increase the amount of oxygen into their lungs…
cut 15 (14) “…working well”

Today marks ten years since the BP Oil Spill ravaged the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and environmental scars exist. National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Restoration Director David Muth says the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was recovering as a species before 2010 but since then…
Cut 7 (09) “…effects.”
Muth says there are also fewer successful births of coastal bottlenose dolphins and corals in several locations have permanent oil damage.

Louisiana Tech freshman mechanical engineering major, Avereigh Barras, is using a three-D printer to make ear guards also known as mask strap extenders for medical workers. Barras says her invention as received rave reviews, because it takes pressure off the back of the ears. Barras hopes to make two-thousand of them in the first two weeks…
cut 5 (13) “….some bigger hospitals”
Barras has started a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of shipping and manufacturing.

Sports fans are gearing up for the NFL draft this week. The Saints have the 24th pick in Thursday night’s first round and the franchise has a history of trading up. Mike Triplett covers the Saints for ESPN and he says the Black and Gold are in a win-now mode, so it’s a possibility they could trade up again…
cut 17 (18) “…will though”
Triplett says the Saints do not have a second-round pick, which probably reduces the chance they move up in the first round.

The Jaguars are reportedly looking to trade former LSU running back Leonard Fournette, who still has two years left on his contract. Fournette rushed for a career-high 1,152 yards and caught a team-high 76 passes last season.

The expectation is for Joe Burrow to be the number one pick in Thursday night’s NFL draft and he’ll begin his professional career in Cincinnati. The Bengals have not won a playoff game since 1991. Former NFL great Peyton Manning told ESPN he recently spoke to Burrow on the phone and Manning warned Burrow his rookie season could be a rough one, but the future Hall of Famer said he learned a lot while taking those lumps. Manning’s Colts went from 3-and-13 in his rookie season to 13-and-3 the next year.

Manning by the way donated one-thousand meals for COVID-19 healthcare workers in the New Orleans area. Volunteers and employees at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant in Metairie prepared the meals on Saturday. Healthcare workers at the Ochsner Hospital System, Tulane and East Jefferson General hospitals received the meals.

William Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR virtual race as he held off Timmy Hill.

The state health department says I-C-U doctors should receive credit for helping to lower the number of COVID-19 patients who need ventilators. On April 4th, the state reported 571 of their COVID-19 patients were on ventilators, now that number is 349. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter
Cut 13 (09) “…the country”
Kanter says the mortality rate for someone placed on a ventilator in Louisiana is between 40 and 60-percent, while New York and Seattle are over 80-percent.

There are no high school graduation ceremonies planned, but that still hasn’t stopped graduating seniors from picking up their caps and gowns. Jostens sales rep Jim Rabb says students are picking up their caps and gowns or class rings at drive-thru locations…
cut 11 (10) “….again”

Ten years ago today, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana exploded, killing eleven workers and spewing nearly five million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Matt Doyle reports several species impacted still haven’t recovered…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Phase One of federal guidelines on reopening the economy call for limited access to dine in restaurants and gyms, reopening of elective surgical centers, and more. Matt Doyle has local reaction…

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Gov. Edwards says the Department of Health and Hospitals is working on new plans to increase non-emergency surgical capacity in the state’s clinics and hospitals.  While no specifics were given, the reopening is expected to happen before May 1.

The Governor toured the PMAC Friday.  The home of LSU basketball is playing host to a giant operation to create PPE for frontline healthcare workers.  Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan says the operation started in the garage of Wayne Newhauser, the head of LSU’s Medical Physics department.
Cut 9 (08) “…an arena operation.″
In the near future, Galligan believes the operation will be outputting 1000 gowns a day.
The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is raising money to help bar owners stay afloat and keep your favorite local watering hole alive through the COVID Crisis.  Many small businesses are keeping the lights on by taking advantage of federal programs like the CARES Act.  LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley says, unfortunately, bars have a very unusual business model…
Cut 7 (11) “sense”