The state has surpassed 15-hundred COVID-19 deaths as the Louisiana Department of Health reported 67 additional fatalities bringing the death toll to 1,540. Governor John Bel Edwards
Cut 14 (12) “…Hurricane Katrina.”
Edwards says the state continues to flatten the curve. Louisiana reported 481 new cases and the number of patients hospitalized and on ventilators continues to decline.

Deadly storms slammed central and north Louisiana yesterday, killing two in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. In DeSoto, rains sparked flash floods that claimed the life of an unidentified Mansfield man.  Sherriff’s spokesperson Mark Pierce says the heavy rainfall produced a strong current in a drainage ditch. Pierce says rains just hammered the region.

Cut 11 (10) “…rain”

The coronavirus pandemic could result in an unemployment rate above 20-percent in Louisiana. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has confidence in the Louisiana Economic Recovery Taskforce, a group of private-sector business leaders which legislative leaders formed in an effort to provide the Legislature with policy recommendations on how to jump-start the economy, to develop long-term solutions.

Cut 6 (11) “…the economy back ”

Car dealerships are seeing slow sales and not as much work for their service departments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association President Will Green says implementing social distancing guidelines means they are moving the transactions from the showroom to the internet. He says car buyers can test drive a vehicle and not even go to the dealer.

Cut 8 (08) “…get your vehicle.”

Green says car shoppers can find some great deals at this time.

A deadly storm system slammed central and north Louisiana yesterday, killing two in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. In DeSoto rains sparked flash floods that claimed the life of an unidentified Mansfield man. DeSoto Parish Sherriff spokesperson Mark Pierce says the rains produced a strong current in a drainage ditch…

Cut 10, 10 seconds, too strong

The current reportedly carried the man’s body about 50 yards before his body was recovered.

In Rapides Parish 67-year-old Becky Carter Roberts was killed by a potential tornado in Lecompte. National Weather Service forecaster Seth Warthen says the suspected supercell was highly unusual for the area.

Cut 12, 8 seconds, assessment

There were reports of two potential tornadoes in the area.

The Legislative Economic Recovery Task Force began the difficult assignment today of providing the state legislature with ideas on how to jump-start the economy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor Edwards is calling on Louisianans to “mask up” and wear facial coverings in public to stop the spread of coronavirus. He says if you don’t have one…

Cut 11 (08) “…covering.”

The coronavirus pandemic could result in an unemployment rate above 20-percent in Louisiana. Economist Loren Scott estimates 349-thousand unemployment claims for the month of April, because of the economic shutdown…
Cut 3 (07)  “…22-percent”  
And Scott says low oil prices will prevent Louisiana from bouncing back as fast as other states who do not rely on the oil and gas industry.
Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana residents to “mask up” which means wearing a face mask in public places. Edwards says wearing a mask reduces the chances of asymptomatic, or mildly symptomatic people unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.
Cut 10 (06) “for them”
Guidelines still call for anyone feeling sick to self-quarantine, even if they have a mask.

Tulane is set to study whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to help prevent people who’ve been exposed to coronavirus from developing COVID-19. Tulane School of Medicine Infectious Disease Epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Kissinger says if you’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case, and you’re interested, they’ll have you do a telemedicine conference, then…
Cut 8 (08) “day 28.”
Tulane hopes to enroll 500 local participants.
Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette is one of the many events canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of trying to push back to the fall, a virtual music festival will happen instead, with live-streamed performances. Festival spokesperson Carly Viator says there will also be a virtual 5k for those who need an excuse to get out of the house and run.

Cut 6 (09) “…to run with.”

This would have been the 34^th year for the festival. The live stream takes place on the event’s Facebook page.

Tulane University is conducting a study to see whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to help prevent people who’ve been exposed to coronavirus from developing COVID-19. Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Kissinger says the treatment has shown promise, but it needs to be proven in a human clinical trial.
Cut 7 (10) “…cells”
Kissinger says if you’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case and want to participate, go to covid-19-pep-study-dot-org.

Governor Edwards is asking residents to wear a mask or some sort of facial covering when out in public. But Edwards says gloves are not recommended because…
cut 12 (12) “….their face”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid out 561-million dollars in total benefits to 302-thousand Louisianans whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Many have found it difficult to file claims or receive their benefits on a timely basis, but L-W-C executive director Ava Dejoie says they are adding an additional server to its network…
cut 15 (07) “…we can”

Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette is one of the many events canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But organizers are holding a virtual music festival. Festival spokesperson Carly Viator says they will stream musical performances tomorrow through Sunday.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…some surprise collaborations.”
For more information go to festival-international-dot-org.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office says a possible tornado destroyed homes in the Woodworth area and one woman was killed. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says a man drowned when he was swept up by fast-moving floodwaters near a drainage ditch as he attempted to retrieve his garbage can. Several homes were also flooded in Mansfield.

Governor Edwards says face masks will be the new normal in public places…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says they’ve paid 561-million dollars in benefits to over 302-thousand Louisiana residents who have filed for unemployment because of the coronavirus pandemic. Once a person qualifies for unemployment, they are asked to certify weekly and L-W-C executive director Ava Dejoie says they are asking unemployed workers to certify online on a specific day based on the last digit of their social security number…
cut 14 (12) “…accept all numbers”

Tulane is seeking participants for a study that’s looking into whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent a person from getting COVID-19 after being exposed. Epidemiologist Doctor Patricia Kissinger says this treatment could be a vital tool once contact tracing becomes more widespread…
cut 9 (10) “….infection”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll likely make an announcement early next week on what restrictions will be lifted when the current stay-at-home order expires on April 30th. Edwards says as we get ready for a new normal, residents should get used to wearing masks in public places…
cut 11 (08) “…covering”
Edwards says the state is halfway through a 14-day period of a downward trajectory of new cases which is needed to partially reopen the economy.

Since March 27th, the Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid $561 million in unemployment benefits to 302,000 claimants. LWC executive director Ava Dejoie says when you compare the numbers to last year, it shows the massive impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the state’s workforce.
Cut 13 (09) “…short of mindblowing.”

We are receiving reports about storm-related deaths in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. We’ll have more on this in future newscasts.

Tulane University is launching a study to see if hydroxychloroquine can prevent transmission in people exposed to COVID-19. Tulane School of Medicine Infectious Disease Epidemiologist Doctor Patricia Kissinger says if you’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case and you’re interested, they’ll have you do a telemedicine conference, then…
cut 8 (08) “…day 28”
Tulane hopes to enroll 500 local participants.

There is no Festival International in downtown Lafayette this weekend, but a three-day virtual music festival will begin tomorrow night. Festival spokesperson Carly Viator says their famous festival punch will also be available…
cut 5 (09) “…souvenir cups”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana residents to “mask up” which means wearing a face mask in public places. Edwards says wearing a mask reduces the chances of asymptomatic, or mildly symptomatic people unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.
Cut 10 (06) “for them”
Edwards has also indicated that early next week he’ll announce what restrictions will be lifted when the current stay-at-home order expires on April 30th.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid out 561-million dollars in total benefits to 302-thousand Louisianans whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Many have found it difficult to file claims or receive their benefits on a timely basis, but L-W-C executive director Ava Dejoie says they are adding an additional server to its network…
cut 15 (07) “…we can”

Tulane will conduct a clinical trial to see whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to prevent COVID-19 cases. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Tonight is the night for former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who is expected to be selected with the number one pick in the NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.