Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump Administration is looking to implement mass coronavirus immunity testing within the next one to three months. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Many families in the Monroe area are looking at a lengthy rebuild after a strong storm system blew through yesterday damaging an estimated 250 to 300 homes. Significant damage was done to the Monroe Regional Airport, which is closed. Thousands are without power, but no fatalities reported.

LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali urges those who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their plasma so it can be used to treat critically ill patients. Ghali says donors must have tested positive for the virus, but are now symptom-free for two weeks and tested negative, or symptom-free for 28 days.
Cut 10 (10) “…ill patients.”
Ghali says the plasma from COVID-19 survivors has shown early encouraging results when used to treat critically ill coronavirus patients.

The governor’s stay at home order lasts until April 30th, but many businesses that are closed now are hoping on May first they can re-open. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is calling on the state to create a plan to return to work in a responsible manner by May 1st…
cut 8 (11) “….do something”
McCormick says COVID-19 has killed over 800 Louisians but so does poverty.

Hundreds of families are without a home in Ouachita Parish today after Sunday’s severe storm system that spawned a tornado damaging an estimated 250 to 300 homes in the Monroe area. The airport sustained major damage and is closed, but no fatalities have been reported.

Business owners are feeling the pressure of the halted economy. Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick feels that businesses need to reopen sooner than later. McCormick says small business owners have reached out to him indicating the state absolutely must start to get back to normal on May 1st
Cut 7 (11) “…government overreach approach.”
The governor’s stay at home order is effective until April 30th, a decision on whether to extend it has not been made.

The state reported 34 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 840 and the state has surpassed 20-thousand cases.

LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Doctor G-E Ghali is encouraging those who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their plasma because it can be used to treat critically ill patients. Ghali says they’ve already seen encouraging results from this type of treatment…
cut 11 (08) “….months away”
Ghali says the antibodies counteract with the antigens of the virus to help the body fight off coronavirus.

A statewide survey on the impact of COVID-19 on Louisiana child care providers finds that 78-percent of them have experienced a loss in revenue, with collective losses totaling almost one-point-seven million dollars. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Libbie Sonnier-Netto says most childcare providers are seeking grants to help them out…
cut 14 (11) “….retain their workforce”

It was a destructive Easter Sunday across north Louisiana after a powerful storm system produced tornadoes and large hail. Hundreds of homes are destroyed in the Monroe area, there’s also been damage to homes in Bossier and DeSoto Parishes. But no fatalities reported. Governor Edwards will be in Monroe later today.

North Louisiana state representative Danny McCormick believes businesses that are closed now, should re-open when the governor’s stay at home order expires on April 30th. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Political leaders say a key to re-opening the economy is immunity testing. It’s a blood test also known as a serology test. It can establish whether a person has developed antibodies to fend off the virus because they’ve already been infected by COVID-19. Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump administration is pursuing nationwide antibody testing…
cut 5 (09) “…widespread”
Louisiana is reporting 840 deaths from the coronavirus as the death toll rose by 34 yesterday, the smallest increase since April 1st.

Based on information from the department of education, 60-percent of child care providers had to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children has found that one-third of child care providers will have to close permanently due to an extended closure. Executive Director Libbie Sonnier-Netto says additional state support is needed now more than ever…
cut 15 (09) “…crisis”

Governor Edwards declares a state of emergency in response to Sunday’s severe weather outbreak that damaged an estimated 200 to 300 homes in the Monroe area. 30-million dollars in damage has reportedly been done to planes at the Monroe Regional Airport, which is closed. Thousands are without power along the I-20 corridor, but no fatalities reported.

LSU Health Shreveport is recruiting patients that have recovered from COVID-19 to be plasma donors to help critically ill patients. Brooke Thorington explains.
voicer 3 (30) “…Brooke Thorington”

Senator Bill Cassidy says the feds are drawing up plans to conduct mass coronavirus immunity testing as one way to expedite a return to normal life. Cassidy says for life to return to normal before a vaccine is created, we need to know who is and is not a potential coronavirus carrier.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…masks”
Immunity is thought to last for at least a year.

A survey of the state’s childcare providers shows that roughly a third of childcare facilities that closed do not see a path to reopening. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Libbie Sonnier-Netto says a majority of childcare centers have reported losing revenue.
Cut 13 (07) “…lost $1.7 million dollars”
Sonnier-Netto says over 90% of childcare providers indicated grants could be used to pay employees during the closures and would support their response to COVID-19 both now and in the future to the pandemic.

Starting Monday, Louisianans who lost their job or had their hours reduced due to COVID-19 will receive federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments in addition to unemployment payments they already receive from the state. State Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says contract workers who did not previously qualify for the state’s unemployment now qualify for the federal benefits…

Cut 4 (10)_ “are.”

State benefits cap out at 247 a week, but the feds are adding an extra 600 dollars a week on top of that.

Governor Edwards says he says the state has been working hard to try and secure as much PPE as possible for those on the frontlines.

Cut 14 (10) “…there”

Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away Thursday from COVID-19. Bagala succeeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says he doesn’t ever remember seeing Bagala without a smile on his face, and he was known for his distinctive chuckle.

Cut 7 (09) “…guy”

Bagala was 54

Be prepared for severe weather on Easter Sunday.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the severe weather threat will materialize late Saturday night and heavy rainfall is possible as well

Cut 10 (09) “…of the coronavirus.”

Storm Prediction Center has south Louisiana under an enhanced threat on Sunday and the northern half is under a moderate risk on Sunday.

Outdoor plans for Easter Sunday are now in jeopardy due to severe weather in the forecast. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Since March 9th Louisiana has reported 19,253 coronavirus cases, and on Friday 2,054 of those reported cases are currently hospitalized, 479 require the use of ventilators. To date, 755 deaths have been recorded as COVID-19 related. Numbers are updated daily at noon on our website at Louisiana Radio Network dot com.

During his briefing, Friday Governor Edwards saluted the brave medical workers who’ve been pulling incredibly long hours keeping patients alive during the epidemic.

Cut 13 (12) “…Louisiana”

54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away Thursday from COVID-19. Bagala succeeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says the Republican went into state politics inspired to create higher-paying jobs for Louisianans after his son had to leave the state to find employment.

Cut 8 (10) “leaving”

Bagala was on a ventilator for more than a week.

Starting Monday, Louisianans who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments in addition to the unemployment they already receive from the state. State Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says the higher payments should be automatically added to your benefits if you’ve recertified your hours.

Cut 3 (07)  “…Congress”  

State benefits cap out at 247 dollars a week, but the feds are now throwing an extra 600 dollars a week on top of it.

Be prepared for severe weather on Easter Sunday.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has south Louisiana under an enhanced threat on Sunday and the northern half is under a moderate risk on Sunday.

Cut 9 (13) “…hail and tornadoes.″

Governor Edwards says the state will look at its options for potentially partially reopening Louisiana next month as coronavirus infections continue to level off. The curve is flattening, but fatalities remain high. Edwards says tough times are still ahead and acknowledged Thursday’s COVID-linked passing of state representative Reggie Bagala.

Cut 12 (13) “right now”

54-year-old Bagala was a Freshman Representative from Lafourche Parish. Bagala succeeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says Bagala was an energetic public servant, excited to serve his first term at the Capitol.

Cut 6 (06) “the road”

The state reported 19,253 cases on Friday, and 755 deaths.

The latest report rises the state’s COVID-19 death toll by 53 to a total of 755 fatalities. Confirmed cases: 19,253, up by 970. 2,054 are hospitalized.  Use of ventilators has increased to 479, up by 6.
Un and underemployed Louisianans can expect to see a much bigger unemployment insurance payments starting Monday…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away Thursday from COVID-19.  Bagala proceeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says the Republican went into state politics inspired to create higher-paying jobs for Louisianans after his son had to leave the state to find employment.

Cut 8 (10) “leaving”

Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1^st by his family.

Severe weather is going to trounce on outdoor Easter plans.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has the state in an enhanced and moderate risk on Sunday.The Storm Prediction Center only has five risk levels for severe weather, so Keim says for Louisiana to be second from the top indicates a serious situation on Sunday.

Cut 11 (11) “…so brace yourself.”

Governor Edwards says the state will look at its options for potentially partially reopening Louisiana next month as coronavirus infections continue to level off. The curve is flattening, but fatalities remain high. Edwards says tough times are still ahead and saluted the brave medical workers who’ve been pulling incredibly long hours keeping patients alive during the epidemic.
Cut 13 (12) “…Louisiana”
54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away yesterday from COVID-19. Bagala proceeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says he doesn’t remember ever seeing Bagala without a smile on his face, and he was known for his distinctive chuckle.
Cut 7 (09) “…guy”
Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1^st by his family.

Outdoor plans for Easter Sunday are now in jeopardy due to severe weather in the forecast. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Starting Monday, Louisianans who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments in addition to the unemployment they already receive from the state. State Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says the higher payments should be automatically added to your benefits if you’ve recertified your hours.
Cut 3 (07)  “…Congress”  

The curve of new hospitalizations is flattening but daily reported deaths totals remain high with Louisiana adding another 53 COVID fatalities. Those fatalities should level off if hospitalizations and new infections decrease, and Governor Edwards says much of that comes down to the great work of frontline healthcare workers. He says to support their efforts the state has distributed a lot of PPE.

Cut 14 (10) “…there”

Several state facilities including Tiger Stadium and the Govenor’s Mansion were lit in pale blue last night at 8PM in honor of healthcare worker’s efforts.

Be prepared for severe weather on Easter Sunday.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the severe weather threat will materialize late Saturday night and heavy rainfall is possible as well

Cut 10 (09) “…of the coronavirus.”

Starting Monday, Louisianans who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments in addition to the unemployment they already receive from the state. State Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says contract workers who did not previously qualify for the state’s unemployment now qualify for the federal benefits…

Cut 4 (10)_ “are.”

Self-employed, gig economy, and workers whose employer’s hadn’t paid into the trust fund will now qualify.

The largest auto insurer in Louisiana, State Farm, announces it’s providing it’s roughly one million customers a 25 percent rebate on their April and May premiums, following a decision by Allstate to do the same. ESPN reports Drew Brees will take a position as a Sunday Night Football studio analyst after he retires from the NFL. NBC won the bidding war for the highly sought after talent. He will also do game day analysis for Notre Dame games.