Most businesses can operate at full capacity today as a result of updated guidelines put out by the governor’s office. The new order ends an eleven PM alcohol curfew and restaurants can have full occupancy. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the state’s hospitality industry has taken it on the chin, so hopefully, the updated guidelines can help re-start the tourism industry..
Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana”

54 percent of those polled by LSU say their own financial situation is the same as it was a year ago, while only 29 percent say it has gotten worse. LSU Public Policy Lab Director Mike Henderson says that’s despite 72 percent of the respondents acknowledging the state’s economy is worse off than it was a year ago.
Cut 12 (10) “themselves”

Next week Louisiana is set to receive over 300,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, by far the largest allocation yet. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (27) …I’m Matt Doyle.”

State Police is investigating the death of a man who died while in the custody of Bossier City Police officers. A preliminary investigation has found that B-C-P-D officers arrived at a business after receiving a call about a stolen car and took a male suspect into custody. Authorities say shortly after the arrest, police called EMS because the man became unconscious. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

For the first time in over a year, many businesses are able to fully open today without capacity restrictions. But the social distancing requirement and the mask mandate remain in place. Bars are allowed to serve alcohol past 11 PM, but Governor John Bel Edwards says patrons must be seated and served at tables…
cut 28 (09) “….spread”
Lousiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack is hoping Louisiana residents take advantage of this new freedom…
cut 4 (09) “…those doors open”
In New Orleans, the phase three order remains in place that means 75-percent capacity limits on most businesses. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says she will thoroughly assess what the governor announced, and she’ll make decisions accordingly.

Louisiana is expecting 300-thousand COVID vaccine doses next week, which almost doubles the number of doses the state is currently receiving. To help residents get these vaccines in their arms, the state will establish a vaccine hotline. Governor Edwards calls it a one-stop-shop for anyone seeking a vaccine appointment…
cut 10 (10) “…vaccines”
Everyone aged 16 and older is now eligible to receive a vaccine.

And Pfizer announced today its vaccine is effective for individuals as young as 12-years-old. LSU Health Shreveport pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor John Vanchiere says while children are not as susceptible to COVID as adults, this is a huge step towards ending the pandemic……
cut 7 (06) “…as well”

Next week Louisiana will be allocated over 300,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the feds. Governor John Bel Edwards says the vaccine ramp-up is here and the month of April will be critical to the state’s success.

Cut 9 (11) “…pandemic.”

To help connect residents with providers next week the state will launch a vaccine hotline where folks can call and have a vaccine appointment made for them at a nearby pharmacy.

Pfizer says their COVID vaccine clinical trial of adolescents ages 12 to 15 is 100-percent effective. Professor of Pediatrics at LSHU Health Shreveport, Dr. John Vanchiere, who is a lead investigator of the Pfizer trials, says the antibody response among the age group is extremely promising.

Cut 6 (09) “…study.”

The Better Business Bureau says if you try to purchase a fake vaccination card you might end up getting swindled yourself. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted the capacity limits on bars, restaurants, salons, gyms, malls, and casinos, but he’s still requiring these businesses to maintain social distancing of six feet. Edwards is also keeping the mask mandate in place. He says the C-D-C still recommends mask-wearing…

Cut 9 (08) “…vaccinations.”
Edwards says the capacity limits have been lifted because he says the state continues to make progress in the fight against COVID-19.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says the lifting of many of the coronavirus restrictions on many businesses is great news. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says businesses have done what they can to keep cases down and he hopes customers will visit the restaurants, salons, and retailers now that capacity limits are lifted.

Cut 3 (11)  “…going again.”  

Only 42 percent of Louisianans believe the state is headed in the right direction, while 46 percent say it’s headed in the wrong direction per the 2021 Louisiana Survey. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says the split is largely partisan and doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon.

Cut 11 (08) “… direction.”

But partisanship isn’t always the driving force. Henderson says major disaster events like Hurricane Katrina saw opinion shifts in both Republicans and Democrats.

State Treasurer John Schroder says the state’s unclaimed property program has 700-thousand dollars in BP settlement funds that are waiting to be claimed. Schroder is encouraging people and businesses impacted by the 2010 oil spill to check la-treasury-dot-com to see if any of this money belongs to them…
Cut 15 (05)“…$165,000.”
He says more than 100 people and businesses have claims totaling at least one-thousand dollars.

For the first time in over a year, many businesses are able to fully open today without capacity restrictions. But the social distancing requirement and the mask mandate remain in place. Bars are allowed to serve alcohol past 11 PM, but Governor Edwards says patrons must be seated and served at tables…
cut 8 (09) “….spread”
This new order will expire on April 28th.

An LSU survey of 780 Louisiana residents found that only 42 percent of the respondents believe the state is headed in the right direction, while 46 percent say it’s headed in the wrong direction. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says beliefs about the direction of the state have held relatively steady since 2017…
Cut 10 (11) “…margin of error.”
Henderson says the split is largely partisan and doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon.

The state health department says over 720-thousand people have been fully immunized against the coronavirus. That’s 16-percent of the state’s population. Chris Babin with the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana warns not to post photos of your vaccination card on social media because it contains personal information.
Cut 6 (06) “…leary of as well.”
Babin says they are also seeing websites popping up offering fake vaccination cards for those who do not want to get vaccinated but would like to have a card for any travel restrictions. He advises against purchasing a fake vaccination card.

State Treasurer John Schroder says the state’s Unclaimed Property program has 700-thousand dollars in BP Settlement funds waiting to be claimed. The money comes from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust, which BP established to settle claims stemming from the 2010 oil spill. Schroder encourages people and businesses impacted by the spill to check la-treasury-dot-gov…
cut 14 (03) “…St. Bernard”
More than 100 people and businesses have claims totaling at least one-thousand dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards is keeping the mask mandate in place, but COVID capacity restrictions on nearly all businesses have been lifted. That means gyms, bars, casinos, salons, and restaurants can fully open while maintaining social distancing requirements…
Cut 7 (08) “…again.”
Sporting events will remain limited to 50-percent capacity, so will event spaces and reception halls.

State Treasurer John Schroder says the state’s unclaimed property program has 700-thousand dollars in BP settlement funds that are waiting to be claimed. Schroder is encouraging people and businesses impacted by the 2010 oil spill to check la-treasury-dot-com to see if any of this money belongs to them…
cut 15 (05) “…165-thousand”
He says more than 100 people and businesses have claims totaling at least one-thousand dollars.

According to LSU’s 2021 Louisiana Survey, the pandemic did little to shift Louisiaian’s overall opinion of the state’s future. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

State Police is investigating the death of a man who died while in the custody of Bossier City Police officers. A preliminary investigation has found that B-C-P-D officers arrived at a business after receiving a call about a stolen car and took a male suspect into custody. Authorities say shortly after the arrest, police called EMS because the man became unconscious. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The governor has lifted all capacity restrictions on nearly all Louisiana businesses. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says he does not remember speaking to 74-year-old Gloria Scott, a Superdome security guard who told state legislators that former Tigers running back Derius Guice sexually harassed her in 2017 while on the job. Scott told legislators she spoke to Orgeron and asked him to punish Guice, but Orgeron told Husch Blackwell he never spoke with the complainant.

The Better Business Bureau is urging residents not to buy fake COVID-19 vaccination cards. That’s right websites are popping up for those people who do not want to get vaccinated, but want proof they got the shot if restrictions are put in place for those who did not get the vaccine. Chris Babin with the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana says these sites are asking for personal and financial information as well as payment to purchase a fake vaccination card…
cut 5 (06) “…as well”

State Treasurer John Schroder says they have over 700-thousand dollars in BP Settlement Funds waiting to be claimed by people and businesses impacted by the 2010 BP oil spill…
cut 13 (07) ‘…check
To search for unclaimed property go to la-treasury-dot-la-dot-gov.