For the first time in the 50-year history of the event, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been canceled. The eight-day extravaganza of music from acts like Foo Fighters, Lizzo, The Who and others as well as food and culture had initially been postponed until the fall, but festival organizers officially pulled the plug on the event today. The news comes following the New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell’s recommendation to cancel all festivals for the remainder of 2020 in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The state’s virus death toll increases by 53, bringing the total to 1,156. Total cases: 22,532, up by 581. Among recent new hospitalizations is a Baton Rouge attorney who is part of the legal team representing the Life Tabernacle Church and Pastor Tony Spell in the continued defiance of social distancing orders. The Advocate newspaper reports the lawyer, Jeff Wittenbrink, attended two events at the church earlier this month.

Governor Edwards announces the creation of a commission tasked with producing guidelines that would allow parts of the economy to reopen. Governor Edwards says the Resilient Louisiana Commission and its task forces will begin engaging stakeholders in various sectors of the economy, asking them…
Cut 6 (11) “…spike.”
The Commission Co-Chairs are Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson, and healthcare executive Terrie Sterling.
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has mostly recovered from COVID-19 but says his recovery was grueling and the disease should not be taken lightly. The 37-year-old Democrat says he became symptomatic March 22^nd. James says it’s been frustrating to see a rising chorus of legislators calling for the rapid reopening of the state before conditions are safe.

Cut 4 (11)_ “TORT reform”

The COVID-19 death toll increases by 53, bringing the total to 1,156. Total cases: 22,532, up by 581. Governor John Bel Edwards announces the creation of the Governor’s Economic Task Force which will include Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, LED secretary Don Pierson, and a retired healthcare executive serving as co-chairs.

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has mostly recovered from COVID-19 but says his recovery was grueling and the disease should not be taken lightly. The 37-year-old Democrat says he became symptomatic March 22^nd when he woke up in a pool of sweat, and a week later he was suffering in a hospital with pneumonia.

Cut 3 (07)  “…wiped out”  

James says his history of asthma and sinus issues may have contributed to his severe case despite his young age and good health.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging the class of 2020 to complete applications for federal student aid as part of the newly launched FAFSA Now campaign.  LOSFA spokesperson Tyana Daquano says the FAFSA form can feel like a daunting task, but it will not only help unlock federal aid but state and institutional aid for students as well.

Cut 5 (06)  “…stay in school.”

K-12 public schools will remain closed to students for the remainder of the school year.  However, students will continue education via remote learning.  Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux says the local districts will be tasked with the decision on criteria that will determine a student’s advancement in grade level.

Cut 7 (12) “…to move forward.”

Scioneaux says how to grade students will also be left in the hands of the districts.

Governor Edwards says more and more planning is being put into what the state might look like as we transition out the potential end of the shelter in place order…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state’s number of nursing home COVID-19 fatalities climbs to 275. The stats of coronavirus impacts on nursing homes are released on Mondays and Wednesdays, with yesterday’s death toll jumping by 74 from Monday and more than doubling the 130 cases reported one week earlier. The total number of infections among nursing home residents is up to 1,324, almost 300 more than were reported Monday.

K-12 public schools will remain closed to students for the remainder of the school year.  However, students will continue education via remote learning.  Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux says the local districts will be tasked with the decision on criteria that will determine a student’s advancement in grade level as well as how to grade students.

Cut 9 (10) “…recommend pass/fail.″

Scioneaux says the hurdles created by a lack of widespread technological infrastructure is something that will be overcome with a mix of high-tech and low-tech distance learning practices.

Louisiana has seen a slight increase in fatal accidents during this time compared to last year despite the fact roads are a lot less traveled these days. State Police Lt. Nick Manale says this is not a good time for you to get into a wreck and have to visit a hospital.

Cut 13 (11) “…actions.”

Governor Edwards says it’s too early to say what kind of impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on football in the fall. Edwards speculates that if there are football games, the stadiums will not be full…
cut 12 (11) “…checked”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is recommending no large events in the Crescent City for the rest of 2020, but a Saints spokesperson says it’s planning for games to be played and added it’s too important for the city.

State Police say they’ve seen an uptick in fatal wrecks, even though fewer vehicles are on the highways. Lt. Nick Manale says just because you have more room to operate your vehicle, you can’t neglect basic driver safety…
cut 15 (10) “…seat belt”

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging the class of 2020 to complete applications for federal student aid to attend college. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 13 of the top 20 auto insurers doing business in Louisiana are providing premium reductions and rebates to policyholders since people are driving less. He says the rebate programs are resulting in 187-million dollars back into the hands of consumers.

Some states are mandating their residents to wear masks in certain public areas, like grocery stores. Governor John Bel Edwards is not certain at this point if he’ll issue a similar mandate. His staff continues to look at what restrictions will be in place in May and one of the provisions could be that masks are required for some workers…
cut 11 (09) “…mask on”
Edwards is expected to announce the members of his economic resilience task force today.

State Police say they have seen a noticeable decrease in drivers on the roads, but there’s been an increase in careless and distracted driving and that’s led to an increase in fatal wrecks compared to this time last year. Lt. Nick Manale…
cut 14 (10) “…travel for”

State officials say students will continue education via remote learning for the remainder of the school year as the governor has closed K-12 public schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

President Trump is expected to announce new social distancing guidelines today in an effort to re-open the country. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says we need to trust Americans to reopen the economy in the right places, at the right time. He says if we don’t, the economy will collapse. Some say more coronavirus testing needs to be in place first.

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell files a proclamation to extend the city’s “Stay at Home” order until May 16th. Governor Edwards says that declaration does not guarantee he will extend the statewide order past April 30th. He says it’s clear some regions are still more heavily impacted by the coronavirus than others.
Cut 10 (09) “same thing”
About 50 percent of the state’s confirmed positive cases have been found in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes.

State Police says they have seen a slight increase in fatal accidents despite the fact roads are a lot less traveled these days. Lt. Nick Manale says this is not a good time for you to get into a wreck and have to visit a hospital.
Cut 13 (11) “…actions.”
Manale says while there is a decrease in vehicles on state highways, there is an increase in careless or distracted driving.

Louisiana schools are closed for the rest of the academic year, but the state says students will continue to receive an education via remote learning. Acting State Superintendent of Education Beth Scioneaux says a lack of widespread technological infrastructure is creating hurdles to online learning, but that can be overcome with a mix of high-tech and low-tech distance learning….
cut 8 (11) “…regards to technology”
Scioneaux says they will provide guidance to local school districts when it comes to determining how schools decide if a student advances to the next grade.

For high school seniors, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is encourgaing them to complete their FAFSA forms that can result in financial assistance to attend college…
cut 6 (10) “….member of society”
That’s LOSFA spokesperson Tyana Daquano says they can offer seniors and parents assistance in filling out the forms at MyLOSFA-dot-LA-dot-gov.

Governor Edwards says more and more planning is being put into what the state might look like once restrictions are loosened with the stay at home order…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has extended the city’s stay at home order until May 16th. Governor Edwards posted on social media last night that the state has received a social distancing grade of C minus and the state can do better.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed an order that keeps K-12 public schools closed for the remainder of the school year. However, students will continue education via remote learning. Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux says local districts will be tasked with developing the criteria that will determine a student’s advancement in grade level.
Cut 7 (12) “…to move forward.”

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging the class of 2020 to complete applications for federal student aid to secure money for college. LOSFA spokesperson Tyana Daquano says completing the FAFSA form can feel like a daunting task, but they are offering virtual assistance
Cut 4 (08)_ “…for my education.”
The assistance tool can be found at MyLOSFA.LA.gov.

At his briefing today Governor Edwards announces that K-12 school campuses will remain closed for students for the remainder of the current school year. And in New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell extends the stay in shelter order for the city until May 16^th.

16 residents at a veterans’ home in Reserve that tested positive for COVID-19 have died, an outbreak that is driving St. John the Baptist Parish’s high per capita death rate. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state is working on a set of guidelines to potentially get restaurants and other service industry businesses open in May. Nungesser says if it is safe to lift the stay at home order in May, restaurants could come back under strict guidelines…

Cut 12 (09) “mask”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee has asked Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin to revise his plan for the July 11th presidential primary over concerns that his proposal that expands mail-in voting to too many people. Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan says the more people who can vote by mail, the greater chance for fraud. Ardoin says he wants to make the voting process both safe and accessible.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the same way.”

At his briefing today Governor Edwards announces that K-12 school campuses across the state will remain closed for the remainder of the current school year for students.

The state currently has 21,951 coronavirus cases and 1,103 fatalities from COVID-19

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell extends the stay in shelter order for the city until May 16^th.

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee has asked Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin to revise his plan for the July 11th presidential primary over concerns that his proposal that expands mail-in voting to too many people. Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan says the more people who can vote mail, the greater chance for fraud. Ardoin countered his argument.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…not valid.”

The governor’s current stay at home order lasts through April 30th and Governor John Bel Edwards has indicated he could extend it. He says when the green light is given to open up more businesses, social distancing will continue, along with other measures. Edwards says the new normal will also have reduced occupancy limits…

Cut 11 (10) “…go into this”

St. John the Baptist remains one of the highest county/parishes per capita in COVID-19 deaths largely because of an outbreak at a veterans’ home in Reserve that’s killed 16. Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Julie Baxter-Payer says the facility saw its first resident show symptoms March 19^th, and…

Cut 6 (12) “…homes.”

The latest Department of Health numbers indicate the state’s COVID-19 fatalities have hit 1,103 with 90 new deaths reported. New cases are up 433 to 21,951. Hospitalizations down 34 to 1,943. Ventilator usage is down as well by 11 to 425.

Republican lawmakers are concerned that Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan for Louisiana’s presidential primary is too broad, allowing anyone over the age of 18 to vote by mail. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The governor’s current stay at home order lasts through April 30th and Governor John Bel Edwards has indicated he could extend it. He says when the green light is given to open up more businesses, social distancing will continue, along with other measures…

Cut 10 (09) “state”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state is working on a set of guidelines to potentially get restaurants and other service industry businesses open in May. Nungesser adds that even if we start reopening service industry businesses, it’s unlikely we will see many out of state people coming to visit them for a while.

Cut 14 (10) “…gone away”