The New Orleans Archdiocese has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to legal costs stemming from lawsuits brought against the church linked to decades-old incidents of clergy abuse. Archbishop Gregory Aymond says the action will not affect individual church parishes or their schools…

Cut 4 (11)_ “administrative offices.”

Officials say no parish funds will be used to potentially settle any claims. 

Two parishes, LaSalle and East Feliciana have said they plan to allow their churches and businesses to open today at 25-percent of their occupancy limits. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard planned to do the same but changed his mind after a conversation with the governor. But remains frustrated the stay at home order has been extended to May 15th…

cut 12 (12) “…coughs again”

The state is ramping up COVID-19 contact tracing this month and that means you may be getting a call from a health official if you or someone close to you tests positive. Governor Edwards says contact tracing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus.

Cut 6 (08) “…14 days.”

Edwards mentioned intimate partners, household members, and anyone who has had contact of less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes with an infected person could be asked to quarantine.

The FDA has authorized anti-viral treatment Remdesivir for use in COVID patients after a study shows it can lower the amount of time a person with a severe COVID case spends in the hospital. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Infectious Disease Dr. Julio Figueroa says the study is promising but the next hurdle for patients will be the treatment’s limited availability.

Cut 9 (10) “…outcomes”

The Archdiocese of New Orleans has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as the 227-year-old institution is facing mounting legal costs caused by litigation stemming from decades-old incidents of clergy abuse. Archbishop Gregory Aymond says the shutdown of church services because of COVID-19 has added more financial hardships…
cut 3 (08) “…reorganizaiton”
Aymond says the filing will not affect individual church parishes or their schools.

The governor’s new Stay at Home order begins today. It allows restaurants to have outdoor seating, with no table-side service. All employees of any business who deal with the public must wear a mask. Shopping malls can open for curbside delivery of goods.

LSU plans to begin a phase one re-opening on May 18th and the state legislature will re-start the legislative session on Monday.

Republican lawmakers are passing around a petition that seeks to revoke the state’s stay at home order so that the economy can begin to get back on its feet again. But Governor John Bel Edwards says overturning the order would be completely irresponsible and nonsensical…
cut 14 (12) “….country”
Edwards says revoking the order could cause the state to lose millions of dollars in federal assistance.

There’s also been a push by Republican lawmakers to re-open the state on a parish-by-parish basis. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says he supports that approach because they’ve only had a few residents impacted by the virus…
cut 10 (10) “…we know them”
East Feliciana and LaSalle Parish have told their churches and businesses to open today allowing 25-percent of their occupancy limits.

Beginning today, restaurants can have outside dining with no wait service. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says all restaurants that provide outdoor patio venues must adhere to strict mitigation standards…
Cut 4 (11)_ “…normal restaurant.”
New Orleans is not participating in this change to the governor’s stay at home order.

LSU Health New Orleans says it’s using the antiviral drug remdesivir on severely ill COVID-19 patients since it has shown signs of helping…
cut 9 (10) “…OUTCOMES”
Chief of Infectious Disease Doctor Julio Figueroa says Remdesivir requires a patient to receive an intravenous dose every day. The FDA is said to be on a fast track to approving remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19.

Governor John Bel Edwards says his new stay at home order will allow churches to hold services under a tent and he hopes there will be a further relaxation in a couple of weeks. Attorney General Jeff Landry provided the governor with a set of guidelines for churches to hold services inside with more than ten people. But Edwards says we are not there yet…
cut 15 (08) “….cases”

Two parishes, LaSalle and East Feliciana have said they plan to allow their churches and businesses to open today at 25-percent of their occupancy limits. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard planned to do the same but changed his mind after a conversation with the governor. But remains frustrated the stay at home order has been extended to May 15th…
cut 12 (12) “…coughs again”

Governor John Bel Edwards has formally extended his stay at home order until May 15th, but there are parish leaders who are eager to see more of the economy open up, such as Kenny Havard of West Feliciana…
voicer 2 (25) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards says local authorities can impose stricter measures, but they can not authorize relaxed restrictions….
cut 16 (11) “….order”
The governor says that means enforcement from the state health department and state fire marshal.

Louisiana restaurants can offer outside dining starting today, with no wait service. That means you can pick up your food inside and take it outside to a patio area and eat. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says restaurants can also set up tents….
cut 6 (12) “….COVID-19”
And restaurants can allow customers to use the restrooms that are inside, but social distancing of six feet should be practiced.

LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease experts say studies show the antiviral treatment Remdesivir has promise for treating COVID-19 patients. Dr. Julio Figueroa says there were no statistically significant indications that it impacts overall mortality, but…
Cut 7 (09) “…Remdesivir”
Figueroa says they are using Remdesivir under the FDA’s Expanded Access Program, which permits the use of investigational drugs outside of a clinical trial.

Governor Edwards responds to a legislative effort to overturn his public health emergency and stay at home declarations…
Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Speaking of funding, the Archdiocese of New Orleans is reportedly planning to file for bankruptcy today. The 227-year-old institution is facing mounting legal costs because of unresolved clergy abuse lawsuits and the shutdown of church services has resulted in a loss of revenue. The filing is not expected to impact daily operations or the diocese’s charitable efforts.

Starting today, restaurants can allow outdoor eating. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there will be no wait service…
cut 5 (08) “….move outside”
Also, outdoor capacity must be 25-percent of what is allowed by the State Fire Marshal, so you’ll see tables 10 feet apart. No more than 10 people at one table.

Leaders in LaSalle, East and West Feliciana are among the parishes that are upset the governor extended the stay at home order to May 15th. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says most of their 115 COVID-19 cases are inmates at Angola and believes his restaurant should offer dine-in services, with a 25-percent occupancy rate…
cut 11 (13) “….shut it down”
Edwards says parishes are not allowed to looosen the restrictions under the stay at home order and face enforcement from the state health department and the fire marshal.

Governor Edwards officially extends the stay at home order to May 15th and blasts a legislative petition that if passed would overturn the state’s public health emergency declaration backing the order. Edwards says passage of the petition would potentially disqualify Louisiana from receiving millions of dollars in federal aid and puts the public’s health in jeopardy.
Cut 13 (10) “…idea.”
Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the petition to cancel the stay at home order has over half the signatures it needs.

Remdesivir has shown promise in helping patients who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms. Gilead Sciences originally developed the drug to treat Ebola. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Infectious Disease Doctor Julio Figueroa says it wasn’t successful in that application, but it seems to help those infected by COVID-19…
cut 8 (05) “…replication”
Figueroa says they are currently using it under the FDA’s Expanded Access Program, which permits the use of investigational drugs outside of a clinical trial.

Restaurants are allowed to have outdoor dining today, Brooke Thorington on what to expect.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Malls are also allowed to offer curbside pickup as part of the changes made to the governor’s stay at home order.

Governor Edwards calls a legislative petition aimed at ending his stay at home order and public health emergency “completely irresponsible and nonsensical”, but a petition proponent says they already have more than half the signatures they need to pass the veto-proof instrument. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the petition is popular with his constituents.

Cut 12 (10) “…but them”

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber-stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy thinks some mayors and governors will see spending money that they don’t have as being the new normal.

Cut 6 (10) “…do revenue projections.”

The Central Police Department warns their phone lines are clogged with out of state callers protesting the house arrest of Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell.  The call to action was posted on a Facebook page claiming to be Magi Spell. Police Chief Roger Corcoran says it’s a dangerous stunt that could prevent people from reporting emergencies.

Cut 3 (10)  “…help”   

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.  Landry says there is becoming some social unrest and one of the first steps to helping that is to allow churches to reunite their congregations.

Cut 9 (08) “…with their lives.″

Edwards responded to the letter saying he’s not considering allowing churches to open before May 15^th.

A Police Chief says the mother of a controversial suburban Baton Rouge pastor has organized a campaign to flood his department’s phone line with calls to get her son out of house arrest…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Legislative leaders announce that the legislative session resumes Monday. Most of the bills filed will not be heard. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the focus will be on passing a budget, COVID-related bills, and legislation that could help the economy. The session is set to conclude on June 1^st, but if a budget is not passed by that time, a special session could be needed.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.  Landry offered Edwards a draft set of guidelines and says the Governor needs to issue guidance for houses of worship just like he would for other portions of society.
Cut 11 (11) “…very responsible manner.”

Governor Edwards responded at his briefing today that churches could hold services outside as long as they practice social distancing and wear masks but does not plan to lift the order to allow indoor gatherings of more than 10 people until after May 15^th.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy believes the only way to recover economically is to get the economy opened back up in a smart and safe way.

Cut 8 (13) “…and smart about it.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry wants Governor Edwards to issue guidance to allow for the reopening of churches. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Governor Edwards responded at his briefing today that churches could hold services outside as long as they practice social distancing and wear masks but does not plan to lift the order to allow indoor gatherings of more than 10 people until after May 15^th

Supporters of a legislative petition that would overturn the Governor’s stay at home order say they have over half of the signatures needed for passage.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the areas of the state that don’t have a lot of cases should be allowed to open tomorrow. He says the petition is based on three considerations.

Cut 13 (06) “…constitution”

Petition supporters appear to be all Republicans but not everyone in the GOP is on board. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiburg supports the Governor’s decision. She says she’s been in frequent meetings with health officials and says the data shows reopening tomorrow wouldn’t be a good idea.

Cut 15 (10)“…order”

Governor Edwards sites significant increases in COVID-19 cases for extending the stay at home order. He noted a 22 percent increase in just one week in cases in Ouachita Parish alone, also increases in East Baton Rouge and St Tammany Parishes.

Supporters of a legislative petition that would overturn the Governor’s stay at home order say they have over half of the signatures needed for passage. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the petition is popular with his constituents.

Cut 12 (10) “…but them”

Edwards recently extended the stay at home order to May 15^th.

Petition supporters appear to be are all Republicans but not everyone in the GOP is on board. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiburg supports the Governor’s decision.

Cut 14 (10) “…the feds”

Louisiana reports 60 new COVID fatalities today. But continues the decline in total hospitalizations. 341 new positive tests were reported as well putting the total above 28,000.

Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says the parents of Pastor Tony Spell have launched a harassment campaign at the department aimed at getting their son out of house arrest. Spell was arrested last week for allegedly trying to run over a protestor, and for holding multiple services in violation of the stay at home order. Spell says they can’t transition to social media services like most other religious organizations have, but Corcoran says this campaign disproves that claim.

Cut 5 (08)  “…clearly.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.   Landry says the timing is right for the move as Louisiana appears to be beyond the peak of new cases.

Cut 10 (09) “…practicing their faith.”