Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing for a 500 billion dollar relief package in Congress aimed at aiding local and state governments facing coronavirus related fiscal cliffs. News outlets are reporting Lafayette is 18-million dollars over budget and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says his city is one-million dollars in the red. Cassidy says these cities need help….
cut 7 (08) “….that you want”
The City of Crowley is expecting a one-million-dollar plus shortfall and announced the layoffs of 15 employees.

The U-S Senate has approved a $483 billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will replenish funding for a small business loan program that ran out of money last week. Senator John Kennedy this funding could have been approved a week earlier if it was not for not House Speaker Nancy Pelosi…
Cut 14 (08) “…rear end”
Pelosi told P-B-S they needed to do more and adjust for those who were underserved by the previous relief package.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is using an online survey to study lifestyle changes as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.

There’s an enhanced risk of severe weather this afternoon and into tonight for the northern half of the state. Forecasters are concerned about damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes, and localized flash flooding. A flash flood watch is in effect for cities north of Alexandria from two o’clock today until tomorrow morning.

House and Senate Governmental Affairs committees meet today as Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin brings forward another plan that will increase mail-in voting options for the summer elections. Republican lawmakers rejected the first plan, but reportedly support this new proposal.

Senator John Kennedy blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the delay in replenishing funding for the Paycheck Protection Program. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is seeking public input on how the stay at home order has affected their physical activity, diet, sleep, and well-being. Doctor Leanne Redman says it’s possible the stay at home order has actually improved a person’s health…
cut 6 (08) “…working at home”
Redman says anyone over the age of 18 can participate in the survey, just go to pbrc.edu/covid19andyou.

Popeyes is donating over one-million meals to a New Orleans food bank. Governor John Bel Edwards says he spoke to the C-E-O of the fried chicken restaurant chain…
cut 12 (10) “…fried chicken”
But Edwards also admitted that he’s not been exercising as much since the COVID-19 crisis started.

Governor John Bel Edwards Resilient Louisiana Commission meets for the first time today. The governor formed the task force to assist him in rebuilding the economy once restrictions are lifted on the stay at home order. Edwards says the criteria for reopening remain firm, a measured 14-day period of declining cases, and increased hospital capacity…
cut 11 (06) “….illness”
The governor remains hopeful that restrictions will be loosened on May first.

The U-S Senate has approved a 483-billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will fund the Paycheck Protection Program. The small business loan program ran out of money last week. Senator John Kennedy says until businesses re-open, they can’t spend enough to save the economy…
cut 15 (07) “….so can poverty”
The U-S House is expected to vote tomorrow on this latest coronavirus aid package.

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing for 500-billion dollars in federal aid for state and local governments who are battling the coronavirus and also seeing tax revenues dwindle because of the extended economic shutdown…
CUT 9 (09) “….for lost revenue”
New Orleans, Monroe, Lafayette, and Crowley are among the cities reporting financial difficulties.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying lifestyle changes as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Researcher Leanne Redman says they are encouraging the public to take their 15-minute online survey that asks participants about work changes, physical activity, diet, sleep, and well-being.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…neighborhoods in general.”
Redman says anyone over the age of 18 can participate in the survey, just go to pbrc.edu/covid19andyou.

A protest over the state’s stay at home order is planned for Saturday at the Louisiana State Capitol. But Governor John Bel Edwards says complaints about the shutdown will not shake him from the position that the stay at home order will hold until April 30th…
cut 10 (11) “…safety”
But he says if he was a betting man he’d bet a dollar that the statewide restrictions come May 1st will not be the same as they are today. His economic resilient Louisiana Commission meets for the first time today.

Senator Bill Cassidy is working on legislation that would provide state and local governments with financial aid. Cassidy says Congress has been focused on helping people and small businesses, but local governments are struggling to fund basic services, like the fire department…
cut 8 (07) “….to be controlled”
Monroe, Lafayette, and Crowley are among the cities reporting financial difficulties.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying lifestyle changes as a result of social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions through an online survey. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Controversial Pastor Tony Spell of the Life Tabernacle Church in Central is out on bond today after he was arrested on an assault charge. Police say Spell nearly hit a protester with a church bus. Spell is also facing misdemeanors for violating the state’s order that bans large gatherings. The Reverend has said the crowd-size restriction is an attack on religion.

Governor John Bel Edwards says there’s a good chance on May first he’ll lift some of the stay at home restrictions. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana reported 77 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday bringing the state’s total to 1,405. 56-percent of the fatal victims in Louisiana are black and 34-percent are white.

The northern half of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk of severe weather today, while there’s a slight chance severe weather for most of south Louisiana.

The U-S Senate has approved a $483 billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will replenish funding for a small business loan program that ran out of money last week. Senator John Kennedy blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the delay.
Cut 13 (09) “…were not emergencies.”
Pelosi told P-B-S they needed to do more and adjust for those who were underserved by the previous relief package.

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing for a 500 billion dollar relief package in Congress aimed at aiding local and state governments facing coronavirus related fiscal cliffs. News outlets are reporting Lafayette is 18-million dollars over budget, Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says his city is one-million dollars in the red. Cassidy says these cities need help….
cut 7 (08) “….that you want”
The City of Crowley is expecting a one-million-dollar plus shortfall and announced the layoffs of 15 employees.

The Pastor of a suburban Baton Rouge church that’s made national news for defying the Governor’s ban on large gatherings was arrested earlier today for allegedly backing his church bus towards a protestor. Tony Spell’s attorney Joe Long says that’s not stopping him from holding 7:30 mass tonight, and Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says it’s been frustrating dealing with the pastor.

Cut 8 (09) “…President’s order”

Congress agrees to pass a 450 billion dollar aid package aimed at refilling the recently depleted payroll protection program that funneled forgivable SBA loans to small businesses. Congressman Garret Graves says the program is remarkable, and one of the most efficient he’s ever seen…

Cut 10 (12) “…day.”

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money, and LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says producers who hired foreign labor to bring in the catch are still on the hook to pay those workers for a guaranteed amount of a full season’s work due to contractual obligations.

Cut 14 (10) “…pay for that.”

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says only about 30 percent of childcare centers are still open, and even the ones still open are bleeding cash.

Cut 3 (10)  “…workers”  

A report indicates child care providers have already experienced a 1.7 million dollar loss in revenue since the shutdown began.

Defiant Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell is arrested in Central for allegedly backing a church bus into the direction of a protestor Sunday. Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the pastor was only going to confront the protestor not run him over.
Cut 7 (12) “drove off”
Spell was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants.

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. The normal crawfish production season starts near the end of December and will go through the middle of June, but LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says some producers have already pulled the plug on their season or will end it by the first week of May because of prices falling below their breakeven point.

Cut 13 (11) “…of market outlet.”

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Applicants must complete an assistance form by Thursday, and the money is expected to be disbursed in early May. One-third of providers say they’ll have to close permanently if the state remains shutdown, and Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says we can’t afford to lose them.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of making payroll.”

The money comes courtesy of the congressionally passed CARES Act.

Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic Congress will approve additional funding for a program designed to help small businesses maintain payroll. Graves says the program has bipartisan support but it’s being held up by politicians who want to tie it to pet projects.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

Graves says if the program isn’t replenished by the end of the month then everyone in Congress should be thrown out.