A measure that would provide the gaming industry with an 83-million-dollar tax break over the next five years is awaiting debate on the Senate floor after a Senate Committee approved the bill. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says his proposal is to help an industry that’s been hit hard by the COVID-19 economic shutdown

Cut 3 (08) ” their heels”  

A House committee has approved a bill that would result in 250-dollar checks to some front-line employees who were required to work when the coronavirus pandemic began. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says his legislation covers grocery store workers, first responders, health and childcare workers…

Cut 6 (05) “…with the public”

Jenkins expects the program will cost the state $50-million.

A UL Lafayette economics professor warns our economic recovery from the COVID recession could drag well into 2022. Gary Wagner says the COVID Recession will cost the state about a billion dollars in revenue compared to projections before the pandemic began.

Cut 11 (07) “…people.”

The numbers are out regarding casino revenue in the month of May and the grand total is $70 million.  It is down from the nearly $218 million at the same time last year, however Casinos partially reopened in mid-May and revenues are down only 13% compared to the same two weeks last year.  Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty says returning players have been very cooperative with spread mitigation efforts.

Cut 13 (09) “…within their expectations.”  

The Louisiana Department of Health reports a total of 928 additional cases of COVID-19 but officials note that 129 cases are related to test backlogs. That backlog is from April 1 and April 9. Today’s count is the largest single-day increase in non-backlogged coronavirus cases since April 10, which was the tail end of the peak in the state.

A UL Lafayette economics professor warns the COVID Recession will hit Louisiana harder than the recent Great Recession. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The numbers are out regarding casino revenue in the month of May and the grand total is $70 million.  While that’s down from the nearly $218 million at the same time last year, Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty says the numbers are a positive indicator for the state’s gaming industry, considering all of the hurdles they faced.

Cut 12 (10) “…a downward trend.”

Casinos partially reopened in mid-May and revenues are down only 13% compared to the same two weeks last year.

Louisiana colleges and universities are refunding students approximately $24 million due to the coronavirus interruption of the academic school year.  LSU tops the list, returning $4.4 million. Most of the refunds cover charges for housing, which students had to vacate about two months before the scheduled end of the school year. Colleges and universities received $147 million from the $2.2 trillion federal rescue bill.

A UL Lafayette economics professor says his projections show the COVID Recession will hit Louisiana harder than Hurricane Katrina or the recent Great Recession. Gary Wagner says we are in a particularly vulnerable position due to our oil and tourism economy, plus the fact that our growth pre-COVID was flat. That all led to…

Cut 10 (06) “…month.”

Wagner notes there are some rosier projections based around the potential to rapidly regain those lost jobs.

A House committee has approved a bill that would result in the state sending 250-dollar checks to some front-line employees who worked the early days of the pandemic. Crowley Representative John Stefanski objects though to using money from a newly created small business grant program.

Cut 8 (13) “…as well”

A study from Scripps Research Institute indicates mutations in the strain of coronavirus circulating the United States may be much more infectious than the Wuhan predecessor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana reports 928 new COVID positive tests today, 129 of them from previous backlogs. 20 additional fatalities from the disease are in as well, bringing the state overall total to 2,950, but in some good news hospitalizations decreased today after three straight days of increases.

A House committee has approved a bill that would result in the state sending 250-dollar checks to some front-line employees who were required to work when the coronavirus pandemic hit Louisiana. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins expects the program will cost 50-million dollars. Jenkins says front line workers first responders, healthcare, and child care workers who earn less than 50-thousand dollars a year will be eligible and the cash will help stimulate local economies.

Cut 7 (07) “…bills and expenses”

A UL Lafayette economics professor warns our economic recovery from the COVID recession could drag well into 2022.   Gary Wagner says if the pandemic had not hit it is likely we would have experienced a minor economic slowdown, but because of COVID-19, we’re now looking at historic long-term job losses.

Cut 9 (10) “…pandemic.”

The report shows the economic damage will be especially severe in Acadiana, Houma, and New Orleans due to the collapse of oil prices and the tourism industry.

A Lake Charles attorney is pushing for the removal of a Confederate monument at the Calcasieu courthouse.  Attorney Todd Clemons says when you are black and entering the courthouse, the monument sends a message that you don’t have equal rights, producing a chilling and intimidating effect.

Cut 10 (07) “…to be removed.”

Louisiana has now seen three straight days of increased COVID-19 hospitalizations, the metric used by health officials to track the actual rate of community spread.  Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the recent upward trend here, and the record spikes in neighboring states are important reminders that the pandemic is not over and we need to continue wearing masks and social distancing.

Cut 15 (06) “…or two.”

Louisiana has now seen three straight days of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the metric used by health officials to track the actual rate of community spread. Neighboring Texas and Arkansas have seen record-breaking increases in the last week. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says that could be foreshadowing.
Cut 14 (09) “them.”
The growth in cases has been largest in the Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe regions.

A study from Scripps Research Institute indicates the strain of coronavirus in the US appears to show mutations making the virus more infectious than the original strain from China.  With every new infection comes a slight imperfection between the source virus and the new virus protein. LSU Health New Orleans molecular geneticist Dr. Lucio Miele says one of the drugs being used for treatment right now, remdesivir works by cause more mistakes in the repetition of the virus.
Cut 9 (10) “…a double-edged sword.”

A House committee has approved a bill that would result in the state sending 250-dollar checks to front-line employees who were required to work when the coronavirus pandemic hit Louisiana. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says his legislation covers first responders as well as health care and child care workers
Cut 6 (05) “…with the public”
Jenkins expects the program will cost 50-million dollars. The money will come from coronavirus relief aid the state received from the federal government.
A Lake Charles attorney is pushing for the removal of a Confederate monument at the Calcasieu courthouse.  Attorney Todd Clemons says he was surprised to see the support from a judge. Clemmons says his frustration has grown over the years after seeing confederate monuments come down in other areas, but he didn’t see that same energy come up in Lake Charles.
Cut 11 (13) “…that’s on you.”

Louisiana has seen three straight days of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the metric used by health officials to track the actual rate of community spread. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says their contact tracing data shows this is largely due to increased social interactions in recent weeks, and possibly because of Memorial Day.
Cut 13 (10) “…spreads”
Billioux says it does not appear this recent increase in transmissions is disproportionately due to new clusters in nursing homes.

The U-S Senate plans to vote on police reform legislation next week. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy looks forward to the debate and wants lawmakers to take a look at the policies the New Orleans Police Department follows…
cut 5 (05) “…died”

A new study shows mutations the mutated strain of coronavirus circulating the United States is more infectious than the original strain in China. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting last night in New Iberia. A suspect who led authorities on a chase that started in Vermilion Parish fired his weapon towards officers as the pursuit ended in New Iberia. Investigators say officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who received non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was released from a hospital and is now in police custody.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased for three straight days in Louisiana after nearly two months of consistent declines. Matt Doyle has more on why that may be…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state will allow bars and clubs to offer live music at their businesses under Phase two of the reopening guidelines. Business owners will have to apply to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for approval. The ban on live music will continue in New Orleans.

An LSU Health New Orleans geneticists says a new study shows a mutated form of the coronavirus circulating the United States is about ten times more infectious than the original strain in China…
Cut 7 (11) “…life forms evolve.”
That’s Doctor Lucio Miele who says it’s important to find out how the virus is changing as scientists try to develop treatments and vaccines.

Lake Charles attorney Todd Clemons is hopeful the movement to end social injustice will lead to the removal of a confederate monument in front of the Calcasieu courthouse….
cut 12 (08) “….past four weeks”
No word on when the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury will address this issue. The Iberville Parish Council voted unanimously last night to take down a confederate statue that’s located on the property of their old courthouse.

LSU Health New Orleans geneticist Doctor Lucio Miele says a new study shows the mutated strain of coronavirus circulating in the United States may be a new and improved virus that is better at infecting human cells than the original strain in Wuhan, China,. Milele says this might explain why the U-S is having a much harder time containing transmission…
cut 8 (12) “….helps it survive”
Louisiana reported 534 new coronavirus cases yesterday and hospitalizations rose for a third straight day.

Superdome officials say 32 individuals who are performing renovation work on the iconic stadium have tested positive for the coronavirus. The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District says the affected workers have been isolated away from the job site.

The US Senate’s lone African American GOP member is set to unveil police reform legislation today in response to the George Floyd protests. The legislation limits use of chokeholds requires officers to intervene if they see excessive use of force, and provides for more cameras. Senator Bill Cassidy says Tim Scott’s bill is a necessary conversation.
Cut 4 (10) “levels”

A Lake Charles attorney is pushing to remove a confederate monument on the lawn of the Calcasieu Courthouse
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

For the past three days, the state has reported an increase in the number of people hospitalized because of COVID-19. The state health department reported 20 more hospitalizations yesterday, the largest increase since May 25th. Assistant Health Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says the pandemic is not over and we need to continue wearing masks and social distancing…
cut 15 (06) “….or two”
Eighteen states across the country are seeing an increase in new cases. Texas hit a record-high daily number yesterday.

A Lake Charles attorney is pushing for the removal of a Confederate monument on the lawn of the Calcasieu Courthouse. Attorney Todd Clemons says when you are black and entering the courthouse, the monument sends a message that you don’t have equal rights…
Cut 10 (07) “…to be removed.”

After weeks of national protests following the death of George Floyd, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that he says will encourage police departments to reform their practices. The president says the order also bans the use of chokeholds in most cases. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says a total ban warrants further study…
cut 6 (13) “….about that”
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the president’s order falls sadly and seriously short of what is required to combat the epidemic of racial injustice and police brutality.

There was an officer-involved shooting in New Iberia last night. Authorities say shots were exchanged between a suspect and New Iberia police during a pursuit. The suspect was injured by gunfire. State Police is expected to release more information later today.

Starting in July, Louisiana small businesses can apply for a state grant worth up to 15,000 dollars to help offset COVID related losses. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes a bill that would have provided companies impacted by COVID-19 a rebate for hiring or rehiring employees. Businesses would be eligible if they hired at least five people and added 40-thousand dollars in total payroll, but in the governor’s veto letter, Edwards said the program would create a large pool of eligible businesses and the potential cost to the state could be substantial.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs a bill that greatly expands access to medical marijuana. Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives lobbyist Danny Ford says this measure allows any doctor in good standing to recommend medical cannabis to a patient suffering from a debilitating condition…

Cut 13 (11) “…could help”  

Under current law, medical marijuana is only available to a patient suffering from a specific condition or disease.

Governor Edwards signs legislation barring residents from suing a restaurant, claiming they got the coronavirus from their business. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says it’s tough to prove where someone contracted COVID-19, but that wouldn’t stop someone from trying…

Cut 5 (10)  “…jobs”

But McMath notes that if restaurants refuse to follow COVID guidelines like mandatory mask wearing for employees they could still get sued.