Louisiana moves into Phase One today which means restaurants can offer dine-in services, while churches, casinos, gyms, barbershops, nail and beauty salons and movie theaters can reopen with a 25-percent occupancy limit. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says it’s important that we continue to practice social distancing…
cut 9 (07) “….thus far”
Assistant Health Secretary Alex Billioux warned residents not to be offended if customers are asked questions at the door about their health.
In the Sabine Parish town of Many, Mayor Kenneth Freeman says they do not plan on enforcing the governor’s phase one order unless they see a spike in cases. He says their residents understand the importance of social distancing…
cut 12 (11) “…protecting themselves”

Childcare centers have received guidance on how to safely operate under Phase One, with changes parents will want to pay attention to…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU and U-L Lafayette hold virtual graduation ceremonies at 10 AM today for their spring grads. Interim president Thomas Galligan says their ceremony will also loop Tiger Stadium into the celebration…
cut 14 (10) “….LSU.edu/celebration”

The stay at home order ends today and many businesses and churches open their doors once again. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The governor’s order for Phase One also allows shopping malls to operate at a 25-percent occupancy limit. Casinos and video poker establishments can open on Monday at 25 percent occupancy and 50-percent of gaming positions can be used. Evictions will remain suspended through June 5th.

The Louisiana Department of Education releases guidelines on how childcare centers and summer schools should proceed under Phase One. Childcare centers were not ordered closed under the stay at home order, but Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says 70 percent of them voluntarily shut down…
Cut 4 (06)_ “…Phase Two.”
The guidance calls for new procedures for pick up and drop off, separating children into smaller groups, and requiring workers to wear masks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has derailed plans for traditional graduation celebrations, leaving many turning to virtual commencement ceremonies. UL Lafayette holds one this morning and so does LSU. Interim President Thomas Galligan is asking LSU grads and their families to tune in at 10 AM.
Cut 13 (08) “…to the graduates.”
ULM’s Virtual Graduation Ceremony for spring grads is at 10 AM Saturday.

Childcare centers receive guidance on how to safely operate under Phase One, with changes parents will want to pay attention to. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The stay at home order ends today and many businesses and churches open their doors once again to customers. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Governor’s new proclamation is in effect today, but one mayor in Sabine Parish has told his citizens he doesn’t plan to actively enforce it. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The Louisiana Department of Education releases guidelines on how childcare centers and summer schools should proceed under Phase One.  Childcare centers were not ordered closed under the stay at home order, but Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says 70 percent of them voluntarily shut down…

Cut 4 (06)_ “…Phase Two.”

Baghian says the centers that did stay open operated at a lower capacity and mostly served children of essential workers.

The guidance calls for new procedures for pick up and drop off, separating children into smaller groups, and requiring workers to wear masks. Baghian says mask-wearing is recommended for children “as able”.

Cut 5 (07)  “…of that.”

Children under two, or children with breathing difficulties should not wear masks per the CDC.

Baghian says they’ve talked with local districts about summer school offerings and many are working on plans that fit under Phase One’s ban on gatherings of more than ten people, but…

Cut 6 (07) “…the state.”

LDE received a ten million dollar grant from the feds earlier this month to help maintain childcare centers economically impacted by COVID-19.

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Many businesses can resume operations today at 25 percent capacity as the state enters Phase One. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says churches can resume indoor services, but worshipers will be spaced out six feet in every direction between your family and fellow attendees.

Cut 7 (10) “…area.”

Most dining rooms will be allowed to open as well, and Browning says he’s talked to restaurant owners and they sound committed to ensuring rooms aren’t packed with over-eager crowds.

Cut 8 (09) “…can come”

Self-service and buffets will not be allowed under Phase One.

Movie theaters, hair salons, gyms, and many nonessential businesses also open today. Browning says following social distancing guidelines will be key to determining whether we can expand that list in the future…

Cut 9 (07) “thus far”__

Assistant Health Secretary Alex Billioux warned residents not to be offended if customers are asked questions at the door about their health.

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The Sabine Parish town of Many will not actively enforce the Governor’s new proclamation according to Mayor Kenneth Freeman.  Freeman believes the residents of Many are doing a good job with mitigation efforts without law enforcement intervention.

Cut 10 (08) “…look for problems.”

In a message to residents, Freeman says if someone needs to shelter at home, that is their choice and he encourages that to continue.  For those that resume life as normal, Freeman still advises them to continue to take spread mitigation efforts seriously.

Freeman believes citizens deserve the credit for Sabine Parish currently having only 29 COVID-19 cases and no fatalities on record.

Cut 11 (09) “…to do so.”

Freeman says he is following the Governor’s lead in asking for voluntary participation, adding residents are aware of the risk of not following social distancing guidelines.

Cut 12 (11) “…into protecting themselves.”

The Governor has previously stated that moving into phase one of reopening is not a return to pre-coronavirus life.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has derailed plans for traditional graduation celebrations, leaving many turning to virtual commencement ceremonies.  UL Lafayette holds its commencement today at 10 am.  LSU interim President Thomas Galligan the Tigers will also virtually celebrate their spring grads at 10 am today.

Cut 13 (08) “…to the graduates.” 

Galligan says the ceremony will also loop Tiger stadium into the celebration of the over 4000 grads.

Cut 14 (10) “…go to LSU.edu/celebration.”

Galligan says the plan is to eventually have a traditional in-person graduation ceremony at a later date.  Galligan encourages grads to dress up for the occasion, wearing the cap and gown to get into the commencement spirit.

Cut 15 (08)“…it all again.”

ULM’s Virtual Graduation Ceremony for spring grads is at 10 AM Saturday.

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Major League Baseball’s decision to reduce its draft to five rounds in June creates a roster crunch for LSU and other college baseball teams. Coach Paul Mainieri still expects outfielder Daniel Cabrera and pitcher Cole Henry, plus a couple of recruits to be the selected, but he expected to lose eight players from the 2020 team to the draft

Cut 16 (15) “…roster.”

The NCAA maximum roster limit is 35 in college baseball. Mainieri is hoping the NCAA expand the roster size for the 2021 season

Cut 17  (21) “…tough decisions” 

At least two players off of the 2020 team are transferring. Infielder Hal Hughes has committed to Rice and Mainieri says freshman all-American Eric Walker will pitch somewhere else next season

Cut 18  (17) “…for him”   

Legislation banning drivers from holding their cell phones while on the road sails through the Senate and is headed to the House. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says his bill is about public safety, but it would also save everyone in Louisiana money on their car insurance…

Cut 9 (10) “…premiums as well.”__

Opponents have called the restriction too burdensome and vague, but McMath says he has worked hard to clean the bill up…

Cut 10 (10) “…all that stuff.”

And for those concerned about its potential impact on civil liberties he says the bill…

Cut 11 (09) “…in this bill.”

A House Committee, on near-unanimous votes, approves three gun rights bills that will now advance to the House Floor.

One of the bills would allow people to enter churches with concealed handguns if they have a permit. Another bill would largely erase a local jurisdiction’s ability to limit where guns can be carried, overturning local ordinances and restricting those limitations to state government. The final piece of legislation would limit the Governor and other state official’s ability to regulate the sale of guns and ammo under a state of emergency.

Lawmakers congratulated Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie on her department’s deft handling of record-breaking numbers of unemployment insurance claims. Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain says…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…appriciate it.”

And Haughton Representative Dodie Horton thanked LWC for agreeing to implement work search requirements in the coming weeks…

Cut 5 (11)  “…balance.”

As of last week, 325,000 Louisianans qualified for unemployment insurance placing a heavy burden on the Louisiana Workforce Commission…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports 827 new COVID-19 cases, the biggest single-day case count increase in over a month, due in part to an influx of old results from labs that are just now being reported, including a large lab reporting over 600 cases from tests as far back as March. Total cases: 33,489. Total fatalities: 2,351, up by 36.

Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches starting tomorrow. Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen. Edwards says the proclamation spells out that residents should continue to wear masks, social distance and practice good hygiene
Cut 6 (08) “ wrong direction”
Edwards says moving to phase one doesn’t mean life returns to pre-coronavirus.

LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will be the SEC and university leaders, not the NCAA, who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry hopes student-athletes can get back on campus in June and says the football coaches returned to their offices about two weeks ago

Cut 14 (10) “…back in shape”

Many businesses are prepped and ready for the gradual restart of the Louisiana economy set to begin tomorrow as the Governor releases an official proclamation today declaring the stay at home order is ending Friday, and Phase One will begin. Edwards says the social distancing regulations and limits on capacity to 25 percent are all part of keeping the rate of transmission for COVID-19 as close to one or lower as possible. He thanks residents for getting us this far…

Cut 8 (09) “…do that”

A bill banning drivers from touching their cell phones flies through the Senate and is headed to the House. Bill sponsor Covington Sen. Patrick McMath says measure contributes to this session’s focus on lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 9 (10) “…premiums as well.”__

Louisiana sees 40,000 new unemployment insurance applications last week, down from 50,000 new applications the week before. The record-breaking case application numbers are being processed by Louisiana Workforce Commission, whose executive director Ava Dejoie received rave reviews from a House Committee earlier today. One of those came from Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…appriciate it.”

Today the US reported three million new unemployed workers, bringing to national total to 36.5 million.

LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will be the SEC, not the NCAA who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry says it’s also too soon to decide if fans will be allowed inside Tiger Stadium for potential games

Cut 13 (10) “of things”  

The state sees another 40,000 new residents file for unemployment and as of last week 325,000 qualified beneficiaries were paid out. Many lawmakers appear to be impressed with the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s ability to handle the record-breaking crush of applications, including Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox who thanked executive director Ava Dejoie at a Committee hearing earlier today…

Cut 3 (07)  “appropriately.”  

One LWC model predicts the trust fund paying out state benefits only has about another four months of money in it if claims were to remain at current levels, but those claims could dip as the state enters Phase One of the limited economic reopening tomorrow.

Bars, spas, and a few other sectors won’t be starting up Friday, and Louisiana Department of Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says it’s just not safe to open those businesses yet…

Cut 10 (12) “…the state.”

LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will not be the NCAA who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry says that decision will be made by the SEC and university leaders. He says they are planning for numerous scenarios

Cut 12 (11) “…on that”

Ausberry hopes student-athletes can get back on campus in June.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath’s legislation banning drivers from touching their cell phone while driving breezes through the Senate and is headed to the House floor. Some opponents raised concerns that the potential new law would give police the authority to violate constitutional property rights just for seeing you fiddling with your phone, but McMath says…

Cut 11 (09) “…in this bill.”

McMath says Louisiana’s current law prohibiting texting and driving is impossible to enforce because if the police pull someone over for texting and driving, a driver can say they were using the phone for some other function.

As of last week, 325,000 Louisianans qualified for unemployment insurance, placing a heavy burden on the Louisiana Workforce Commission…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports 827 new COVID-19 cases, the biggest single-day case count increase in over a month, due in part to an influx of old results from labs that are just now being reported, including a large lab reporting over 600 cases from tests as far back as March. Total cases: 33,489. Total fatalities: 2,351, up by 36.

Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially lift the stay at home order tomorrow, which will loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches. Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen. Edwards says moving to phase one doesn’t mean life returns to pre-coronavirus. He says if people do not follow the CDC and state health department recommendations, we will be back to square one…
Cut 7 (10) “.would”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the state’s historical sites, and 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says state parks have lots of cancellations, so there has never been a better time for locals to enjoy what state parks have to offer.

Cut 13 (09) “…by Louisiana residents.” 

State Parks will begin taking reservations on Friday.

The state reports its biggest single-day COVID-19 case count increase since April 10, with 827 new cases. The large increase is due in part to an influx of old results from labs that are just now being reported, including a large lab reporting 609 cases administered as early as March. Total cases: 33,489. 36 new fatalities bring the state’s death toll to 2,351.

Governor Edwards says as the state begins to reopen its economy, it’s important to remember we are still battling a public health crisis. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Louisiana Senate votes 31-5 to ban the hand-held usage of cell phones while behind the wheel and the bill is heading to the House for further discussion.  Bill sponsor Covington Sen. Patrick McMath says he has spent a significant amount of time drafting the legislation to make it less burdensome on drivers when it comes to being able to still utilize a phone while in a vehicle.
Cut 10 (10) “…all that stuff.”
Similar measures have failed to make it to the Governor’s desk in the past.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says state parks are incentivizing residents to staycation and check out all the trails, the fishing, and more.

Cut 14 (12) “…4^th night free (x2).”

All out-of-state bookings at state parks have been canceled through phase one of the economic reopening

Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen Friday. Barbershops and salons have been closed since March, so the backlog of those in need of a haircut may create the need for extended business hours.  Director of the State Board of Cosmetology Steve Young says that should not be an issue.
Cut 5 (09)  “…sure many will.”
Mask-wearing and other spread mitigation efforts will be mandated during a hair appointment.
Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches starting tomorrow. The COVID-19 death toll in Louisiana has reached 23-hundred and the state is reporting nearly 33-thousand cases as the state prepares to reopen a portion of its economy. Edwards says the rate of transmission in some parts of the state is lower than one and he hopes to keep it that way.
Cut 8 (09) “…do that”

Some business advocates are frustrated that tattoo parlors, bars, and spas will not be allowed to open for business Friday.  But Louisiana Department of Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says it’s just not safe to open those sectors yet, and cited White House guidelines recommending places like bars remain closed.  Billioux says some establishments, like restaurants, lend themselves well to adapting to social distancing guidelines, and some business models just could not make it work.

Cut 12 (11) “…that setting”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the state’s historical sites, and 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says state parks have lots of cancellations, so there has never been a better time for locals to enjoy what state parks have to offer.

Cut 13 (09) “…by Louisiana residents.” 

State Parks will begin taking reservations on Friday.