Louisiana reports 53 new COVID deaths, and 970 new confirmed cases, but the trend towards a flattening of the curve in hospitalizations and ventilator use continues.

Governor Edwards says the state will look at its options for potentially partially reopening next month if coronavirus infections continue to level off, but Edwards says tough times are still ahead of us, and acknowledged the death of 54-year-old freshman state representative Reggie Bagala of Lafourche Parish yesterday.

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Bagala died of COVID-19 symptoms after being placed on a ventilator following his admission to the hospital. Former Representative Truck Gisclair knew him well and says Bagala couldn’t wait for his first day at the Capitol.

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Starting Monday hundreds of thousands of Louisianans who’ve lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to COVID-19 will be receiving federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments. Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says the state got the federal funds this week, and so many recipients will be receiving two weeks’ worth of benefits on their Monday check.

Cut 5 (06)  “…payment”

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.

Severe weather is going to trounce on outdoor Easter plans.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has the state in the marginal category of severe weather risk on Saturday with a warm front passing though, then an enhanced and moderate risk on Sunday.

Cut 9 (13) “…hail and tornadoes.″

The noon 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 yesterday 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.

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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.”

The noon report rises the state’s COVID-19 death toll by 53 to a total of 755 fatalities. Confirmed cases: 19,253, up by 970. Use of ventilators has increased to 479, up by 6.
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”
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. Keim expects rain totals to be up to 2 inches, with rainfall amounts tapering off closer to the coast.

Cut 10 (09) “…of the coronavirus.”

The state is investigating whether two abortion clinics are performing procedures during the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Governor admits it’s likely that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year after he receives a letter from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education asking him to keep the doors shut. That’s raised a number of questions, and Director of education policy at the Pelican Institute Ethan Melancon says parents need reassurance that their child’s education will not fall victim to the virus.

Cut 11 (10) “…valuable instruction time.”

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, who says he was enthusiastic…

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Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1^st by his family. The Representative was hospitalized and put on a ventilator, but his condition continued to deteriorate until his passing.

Severe weather is going to trounce on outdoor Easter plans.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has the state in the marginal category of severe weather risk on Saturday with a warm front passing through, then an enhanced and moderate risk on Sunday.

Cut 9 (13) “…hail and tornadoes.″

Keim says expect rain totals to be up to 2 inches.

Easter is different this year, but Easter baskets can be filled with traditional candy favorites, and you don’t have to worry about shortages because this year’s batch was made back in February. CEO of Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate Rob Nelson says over the last week, the company has donated about 15,000 candy eggs to those battling the pandemic.

Cut 15 (06)“…two food banks.”

Governor Edwards says the state continues to flatten the curve but warns life is unlikely to go back to normal anytime soon. Models show a steep drop-off in expected COVID deaths in Louisiana relative to projections at the start of the month, but…
Cut 4 (07)_ “…May.”
Edwards says that’s not an official announcement that the stay at home order is being extended, but it’s a possibility.

The governor is expected to announce soon that schools will be closed for the remainder of the year. Ethan Melancon, director of education policy at Pelican Institute for Public Policy, understands the need to close physical school sites, but parents still have a lot of questions…
cut 12 (07) “…in grade”
Melancon says 44-percent of the districts are not providing adequate distance learning opportunities.

The Attorney General’s office is assisting the state department of health in investigating whether Louisiana’s three abortion clinics are violating the stay at home order by performing non-emergency medical procedures. Attorney General spokesperson Deanna Fortin on what happens if these facilities are found to be in violation…
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Easter is different this year, but Easter baskets can be filled with traditional candy favorites. CEO of Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate Rob Nelson says the Easter Bunny should not experience any disruptions in the supply chain as they got their candies prepped early.
Cut 13 (07) “…back in February.”
Nelson says Easter candy sales have slumped recently with residents focused on shopping for essential items, but he’s optimistic sales will pick up this weekend.

The Attorney General’s Office is investigating reports of elective surgical centers, including abortion clinics, continuing operations despite the state’s stay at home order, which prohibits elective medical procedures and surgeries. A-G spokesperson Deanna Fortin says they’ve received complaints about two of the state’s three clinics…
Cut 6 (03) “… Rouge.”
Governor John Bel Edwards was asked if he thought an abortion was an elective procedure…
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And the governor is expected to announce soon that schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. Schools have been closed since mid-March and BESE president Sandy Holloway says they’ve heard that 39 of Louisiana’s 69 school districts have offered various forms of distance learning, while others say learning is still taking place…
cut 10 (03) “…of learning”

Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate says the pandemic isn’t impacting the availability of their holiday candy. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s the potential for severe weather on Easter Sunday. Forecasters say the northern half of the state is under a moderate risk of severe weather, while south Louisiana is under an enhanced threat. Strong storms moved through south Louisiana last night, knocking down numerous trees in Opelousas.

A state lawmaker has passed away from the coronavirus. Freshman House member Reggie Bagala from LaFourche Parish died yesterday at the age of 54. He was on a ventilator for more than a week. Governor John Bel Edwards calls Bagala a successful businessman, devoted family member and active volunteer.

The state is investigating whether two abortion clinics are performing procedures during the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor Edwards is expected to announce that schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. Pelican Institute for Public Policy education director Ethan Melancon says before any decision is made, the state should release a specific plan for how and when students will return to school for remediation of the time spent out of the classroom…
cut 11 (10) “…instruction time”

It is Good Friday and kids would normally be out of school today for this religious holiday. Kids also enjoy Easter candy at this time of the year. CEO of Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate Rob Nelson says sales have slumped with consumers focused on shopping for essential items, but he’s optimistic sales will pick up this weekend…
cut 14 (06) “…Heavenly Hash”
Nelson says they’ve donated thousands of chocolate eggs to health care workers on the front-line and food banks.

Governor John Bel Edwards says it is likely schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has sent a letter to the Governor supporting such a move. BESE president Sandy Holloway says it is in the best interest of public health…
Cut 9 (07) “…facilities too soon.″
Interim Education Superintendent Beth Scioneaux says if schools remain closed, every community needs a plan for continued learning.

The Attorney General’s office is assisting the state department of health in investigating whether Louisiana’s three abortion clinics are violating a state order against non-emergency medical procedures during the stay-at-home order. Attorney General spokesperson Deanna Fortin on what happens if these facilities are found to be in violation…
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Louisiana now has 18-thousand positive cases of COVID-19 and 702 have died, including state lawmaker Reggie Bagala, a freshman member of the House from Lafourche Parish.

But there have been positive signs. The rate of new hospitalizations has slowed and the number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators has decreased. Many are wondering if the governor’s stay at home order will be lifted in May, But Governor John Bel Edwards says even if it is, things will not go back to normal right away…
cut 5 (10) “…period”

It’s Easter weekend. Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate has donated about 15-thousand candy eggs to those battling the pandemic…
cut 15 (06) “…two food banks”
That’s Elmer Chocolate CEO Rob Nelson.

Governor Edwards says the state continues to flatten the curve but warns life is unlikely to go back to normal anytime in the next few months. Federal projections show a steep drop-off in expected COVID deaths in Louisiana relative to projections at the start of the month, but…
Cut 4 (07)_ “…May.”
Edwards says that’s not an official announcement that the stay at home order is being extended, but a warning that it’s a possibility.

The governor’s stay at home order calls for the suspension of all elective and non-emergency medical procedures. The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office has activated a task force to help the state health department investigate possible violations. Spokesperson Deanna Fortin says they’ve received complaints that abortion clinics in Shreveport and Baton Rouge are still performing procedures….
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But the abortion rights group Louisiana Lift says abortion is essential health care.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is among several groups asking Governor John Bel Edwards to close schools for the remainder of the year. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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The state health department reports that 130 nursing home residents are among the 702 people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19. Office of Public Health Assistant Sec. Doctor Alex Billioux says the state is working with nursing homes and senior care facilities to make sure they have personal protective equipment…

Cut 5 (09)  “…new communities”

Zachary police report a tragic murder-suicide where it’s believed a man shot and killed his two stepchildren the day after his wife, their mother, died. Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says it appears 77-year-old James Brannon was distraught over the loss of his wife and shot 48-year-olds Deborah Ross and Beverly Watts.

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The LHSAA has canceled all spring sports and Governor Edward has indicated that there is a good chance that Louisiana public schools will not reopen for the remainder of the school year. Additionally, Edwards says this Easter holiday will not look like other years and urges continued social distancing efforts.  Edwards has no issues with crawfish boils for families that live together, but it shouldn’t be turning into a block party or a family reunion.

Cut 10 (13) “…can avoid it.”

Louisiana Crawfish Farmer’s Association President David Savoy says sales for crawfish are at 40-percent of what they were last year. Savoy says usually Easter is the industry’s Super Bowl, but this weekend they project a massive drop-off relative to what they would normally sell.

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