The noon report rises the state’s COVID-19 death toll by 50 to a total of 702 fatalities. Confirmed cases: 18,283, up by 1253. Use of ventilators has decreased to 473, down by 17. Governor John Bel Edwards says this Easter holiday will not look like other years.  Despite the lack of traditional holiday gatherings, Edwards recommends finding a meaningful and significant way to worship and celebrate.
Cut 11 (10) “…ten person limit.”

The state health department reports that 130 nursing home residents are among the state’s coronavirus fatalities. Office of Public Health director, Doctor Alex Billioux says these facilities where clusters have developed, you have residents who have the virus, those who are suspected of having COVID-19 and those who are free from having the coronavirus.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…tight spaces.”

Crawfish boils have been canceled for Easter due to coronavirus, and Louisiana Crawfish Farmer’s Association says farmers are set to take a devastating hit…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The state health department reports that 130 nursing home residents are among the 652 people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19. Office of Public Health director, Doctor Alex Billioux, says it’s critical that employees at these facilities practice social distancing when they are away from work

Cut 3 (11)  “…that reason”  

COVID-19 cases have been reported in 93 nursing homes in Louisiana.

Senator John Kennedy anticipates Congress will authorize an additional 250 billion dollars in funding for a Small Business Administration loan program designed to prop up companies during the coronavirus shutdown. Kennedy says it’s a lot of money to throw around but it’s vital it be done so that the economy can be saved. He says COVID-19 kills, but so does poverty.

Cut 15 (07)“…shut down.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the Easter holiday is no excuse to stop social distancing…

Cut 9 (10) “…of the virus.″

Edwards says he has no issue with crawfish boils for families that live together, but it shouldn’t be turning into a block party or a family reunion.

Louisiana Crawfish Farmer’s Association President David Savoy agrees that the public needs to socially distance and not plan to hold any large crawfish boils, but says the industry is desperate for aid and looking at sales only 40 percent of what they were last year. Savoy says Easter is the industry’s Super Bowl, and they’re projecting a massive drop-off relative to even a usual off-year.

Cut 6, 12 seconds, phone calls

Starting Monday Louisiana will start paying an additional 600 dollars a week in unemployment insurance benefits to those who qualify. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

A drive-thru COVID-19 testing site exclusively for first responders and healthcare workers has been established in Shreveport.   The site will be open, weather permitting, from 9 AM to 4 PM daily at the Walmart parking lot in the 1100 block of Shreveport Barksdale Highway. The drive thru testing site is the first of its kind in the state.

The COVID-19 lockdown has resulted in an unprecedented dilemma for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations during one of the holiest times of the year.  LSU Associate Professor of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier (pass-cay) says some religious communities are more prepared than others for the challenge of conducting services for an audience at home.

Cut 7 (12) “…celebration of Easter.”

Pasquier says a message from religious leaders to congregation members can go a long way in letting them know they are doing the right thing by their faith by staying home.
A team from LSU is creating personal protective equipment for healthcare workers including much-needed masks and gowns.  LSU Biomedical Engineering senior Meagan Moore says they’ve been hammering out ways to do field-expedient work with base-level materials including a donation of old billboards to make gowns.

Cut 5 (12)  “…out of it.”

Governor Edwards announces the state has received the federal funding necessary to pay enhanced unemployment benefits to the tune of an extra 600 dollars a week on top of the state’s 247 dollars. Edwards says the expanded benefits begin Monday and will also include workers who did not previously qualify.
Cut 10 (11) “…yesterday”
The governor says you can apply for unemployment at Louisianaworks.net and if possible do so between 10 PM and 4 AM to avoid peak traffic.

Senator John Kennedy anticipates a vote today in the Senate to add more dollars to the 349-billion dollar Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loans to small businesses…
Cut 13 (09) “…relief”

Religious congregations face an unprecedented dilemma approaching one of the holiest times of the year for different faiths. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents has asked the governor to keep schools closed for the rest of the academic year. A spokesperson for John Bel Edwards says the governor is looking at the request. If the governor orders schools closed until next August, it will be up to BESE and the state department of education to set up guidelines for school districts to follow.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state has received federal money to begin paying an additional 600 dollars a week to those who are receiving unemployment. Edwards says 277-thousand people have filed for unemployment since March 1st and the state paid out 25-million dollars in benefits last week…
cut 12 (09) “….million dollars”
Nationally, 16-point-six million have filed for unemployment, which means 10-percent of the U-S labor force is out of work.

The U-S Senate is expected to vote today to add an additional 250-billion dollars for the popular Paycheck Protection Program. That’s the loan program that helps small businesses keep paying their workers, the rent and other operating expenses. Kennedy says it’s a lot of money, but necessary…
cut 15 (07) “….shut down”

A team from LSU is creating personal protective equipment for healthcare workers including much-needed masks and gowns. LSU Biomedical Engineering senior Meagan Moore says they are using materials like cardboard, hot glue, and trash bags.
Cut 4 (12)_ “…protection for physicians.”
Moore says Lamar Advertising is donating old billboards to make gowns.

Its tradition for Christians to attend services at their church on Easter. But most churches will be closed on Sunday. LSU Associate Professor of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier (pass-cay) says a message from religious leaders to congregation members can go a long way in letting them know they are doing the right thing by their faith by staying home…
cut 8 (100 “….religious obligation”

Louisiana has received more federal dollars so starting on Monday unemployed workers will receive an additional 600-dollars a week on top of the state benefits they receive, which is a maximum of 247-dollars. Gig workers and contract employees are also eligible for this money. Governor Edwards says since March 1st, 277-thousand people have filed unemployment claims…
cut 11 (06) “…thousand”
The enhanced benefits will be available until August.

Senator John Kennedy anticipates Congress will authorize additional funding for a Small Business Administration loan program designed to prop up companies during the coronavirus shutdown. The 349-billion dollar Paycheck Protection Program is so popular that Kennedy says more dollars are needed…
Cut 13 (09) “…relief”

A group of LSU students is trying to support doctors and nurses by make masks, face shields, and ventilator parts. LSU Biomedical Engineering senior Megan Moore says they are using cardboard, hot glue, trash bags and even old billboards from Lamar Advertising for supplies. She says they have a website, one-louisiana-now-dot-org where the public can connect with the team if they believe they’ve got materials to contribute…
cut 6 (12) “….can help additionally”

Sunday will be a very different Easter than we’ve ever experienced before. Many Christians will attend religious services from their own home as churches are closed. But LSU Associate Professor of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier (pass-cay) says there will be some pastors who will still welcome their congregation into their church…
cut 9 (08) “…go it’s church”
Tony Spell, who leads the Life Tabernacle Chruch outside of Baton Rouge plans to have a big Easter service at his church. He’s already facing charges for defying the governor’s stay at home order.

Governor Edwards announces the state has received the federal funding necessary to pay enhanced unemployment benefits to the tune of an extra 600 dollars a week on top of the state’s 247 dollars. Edwards says the expanded benefits begin Monday and will also include workers who did not previously qualify.
Cut 10 (11) “…yesterday”

And the U-S Senate could vote today to add 250-million more dollars to the Paycheck Protection Program. The federal loan program helps small businesses pay workers, rent and other operational expenses. Senator John Kennedy says this legislation could get approved with a roll call vote…
cut 14 (07) “…job”

A team from LSU is creating personal protective equipment for healthcare workers from basic everyday items. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The state has now received funding from the CARES Act to pay additional unemployment benefits. Those will now include an additional $600/weekly through July and will cover gig workers, 1099 workers, and the self-employed. Payments will start Monday.

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association projects over 23-thousand jobs are at immediate risk if oil prices remain low and no immediate action from federal and state governments. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State health officials are encouraged to see the number of COVID-19 patients who require ventilation has gone down, four days in a row. Assistant Secretary of the Office of Public Health Alex Billioux credits I-C-U doctors who are learning better methods in treating the virus.
Cut 3 (10)  “…Bi-pap”  
A Bipap pushes air into a person’s lungs and works much like a C-Pap machine.

Allstate has announced that its customers will receive a 15-percent rebate on their auto premiums for April and May. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon hopes other auto insurance providers do the same and his office has put in new rules because of the economic slowdown…
Cut 7 (13) “…11th.”

the payments will total roughly 13 million in Louisiana.

The state now has just over 17,000 COVID-19 cases, and a total of 652 fatalities. The state has now received funding from the CARES Act to pay additional unemployment benefits. Those will now include an additional $600/weekly through July and will include gig workers, 1099 workers, and the self-employed. Payments will start Monday.
Drivers are staying home, and that’s saving auto insurance companies a lot of money. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon spoke with Matt Doyle about getting those saving passed on to customers…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Farm Bureau are surveying crawfish producers to determine the economic damage caused by the coronavirus outbreak. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says the information collected will be turned over to the U-S-D-A in an effort to get assistance for the industry

Cut 9 (12) “…economic impact.″

Crawfish producers have been hurt by a glut of crawfish because restaurants can only offer carryout or delivery service.

A Louisiana Oil and Gas Association survey projects more than 23-thousand jobs in the industry are at immediate risk. Association President Gifford Briggs calls for the suspension of state severance tax collections for one year, oil and gas storage capacity expanded and legislation to end government-led coastal lawsuits
Cut 14 (08) “…or investment”

The state now has just over 17,000 COVID-19 cases, and a total of 652 fatalities. State health officials are encouraged to see the number of COVID-19 patients who require ventilation has gone down, four days in a row. Assistant Secretary of the Office of Public Health Alex Billioux says we are seeing now the results of public behaviors that started two weeks ago and while the trend is promising…
Cut 5 (10)  “…we have already.”
490 COVID-19 patients are on ventilators today, down from 519 yesterday.
A Louisiana Oil and Gas Association survey projects more than 23-thousand jobs in the industry are at immediate risk. LOGA President Gifford Briggs says the coronavirus pandemic and an oil glut has dropped the price of oil 66-percent since January first

Cut 12 (10) “…through the industry”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon expects other car insurers in Louisiana to follow Allstate’s lead and offer rebates for premiums paid during the stay at home order. Allstate is paying back customers in the state 13 million dollars in rebates. Donelon says its because the company is saving a lot of money right now.

Cut 6 (10) “America”

The LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Farm Bureau are surveying crawfish producers to determine the economic damage caused by the coronavirus outbreak. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry is asking crawfish farmers to turn in their completed surveys to him or call his cell phone at (225) 281-5948

Cut 11 (13) “…through USDA”