04.21.20
by

7:30 LRN Newscast

Chairman of Louisiana’s House delegation Blake Miguez is encouraging Governor John Bel Edwards to reopen businesses on May 1st under the guidelines provided by the White House…
Cut 10 (10) “owners”
But Edwards says the state has yet to meet the thresholds under White House guidelines that would allow him to re-open businesses after the current stay at home order expires April 30th.

But the Governor is revising his order so that starting on Monday surgical procedures can resume to treat an emergency or time-sensitive medical condition. A surgery can also take place to avoid an underlying health condition from getting worse. But State Health Officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says not every procedure will be deemed necessary…
cut 14 (10) “…decision”

The state Department of Education releases a survey that finds all 69 public school districts are offering some level of distance education while campuses are closed. But D-O-E spokesperson Sydni Dunn says…
Cut 7 (08) “…in the future.”
The study found that many students and teachers do not have the right technology to maximize learning, 28-percent of students do not have access to a computer.

LSU Health Shreveport is using a three-d printer to produce nasal swabs for COVID-19 test. Molecular and cellular physiology professor Dr. Steven Alexander hopes the extra swab availability will lead to testing of individuals who are not showing any symptoms
Cut 4 (09)_ “…with the COVID-19.”
Alexander hopes they’ll be able to produce a thousand nasal swabs a day by the end of the week.

04.21.20
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints Coach Sean Payton has donated his plasma so that it can be used to treat hospital patients who are trying to fight off COVID-19. Payton tested positive for the coronavirus on March 19th and suffered from a low-grade fever, body aches, and chills. He never had respiratory symptoms. Some doctors are using convalescent plasma to treat coronavirus patients because their antibodies in the plasma can help fight off the virus.

Former Saints tight end Mark Campbell tells WWL radio that he spent 17 days battling COVID-19. He says his condition did not improve until he took a drug that is commonly used to treat malaria.

ESPN reports The N-F-L tested out its virtual draft on Monday and there was a hiccup early, resulted in a two-and-a-half-minute delay for the Bengals to make the first pick. But Broncos president of football operations John Elway says after that delay, the rest of the draft went smooth.

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade said on the LSU Sports Radio Network that they are only more big body away from being an elite team next season. The Tigers have signed seven new players, including five-star shooting guard Cam Thomas and UCLA transfer Shareef O’ Neal, the son of former LSU great Shaquille O’ Neal. Wade says starting forwards Trendon Watford and Darius Days have put their names in the draft, but can return. Wade says they have a pretty good idea of what they will do.

Former Riverside standout Jared Bulter has decided to put his name into the NBA draft pool. The six-foot-three, All-Big 12 guard averaged 16 points a game last season for Baylor.

Tim Floyd told ESPN Baton Rouge the Chicago Bulls were interested in hiring him as their head coach after Michael Jordan and Company justed completed a 72-win regular season and the franchise’s fourth NBA championship. Floyd eventually became the Bulls head coach after Chicago completed its second three-peat. But Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman were gone by then.

04.21.20
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6:30 LRN Newscast April 21

Louisiana will allow elective medical procedures to resume next Monday. State Health Officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says this order covers surgeries that could keep medical conditions from getting worse…
cut 16 (11) “…corona”
Guidry says the state is reviewing what this order will mean for abortions.

The state department of education has found that all 69 school district is offering continuous education, even though schools are closed. D-O-E spokesperson Sydni Dunn…
cut 8 (12) “…other online platforms”
Dunn says their survey found about 32-percent of school systems are connecting with students every day, but 28-percent of students do not have access to a computer.

The Louisiana House GOP Leader and Governor disagree on just how the state should begin to reopen in May. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

04.20.20
by

AM Newscall 04/21/2020

3-D printing is proving to be a useful tool in creating important COVID-19 testing supplies.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

_____________________________________

 Beginning April 27th time-sensitive elective medical procedures will be permitted under the state’s coronavirus social distancing guidelines. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

The Louisiana House GOP Leader and Governor disagree on just how the state should begin to reopen in May. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

____________________________________________

Nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing are now being 3-D printed at LSU Health Shreveport. The swabs, which are a crucial part or the testing kit, have been in short supply.  Molecular and cellular physiology professor Dr. Steven Alexander hopes the extra swab availability will lead to an expansion of testing eligibility.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…with the COVID-19.”

Alexander says they have obtained the swab design printing files to produce the resin polymer nasal swabs and hope to be producing nearly 1,000 swabs daily.

Cut 5 (06)  “…324 per day.”

Alexander says the light-activated printing technique can produce medical devices which are chemically inert, sterile, and compatible with accurate testing procedures.

Cut 6 (07) “…to existing swabs.”

______________________________

The Department of Education releases a survey showing all 69 school districts are offering some level of distance education in public schools while campuses are closed.  Department spokesperson Sydni Dunn says the survey looked at both traditional and charter schools handling of the pandemic.

Cut 7 (08) “…in the future.”

32% of school systems are connecting with students every day.  One in four students are not receiving feedback on their learning.  Dunn says the methods used in continuous education varies greatly by school system depending on the unique needs of their students.

Cut 8 (12 ) “…other online platforms.”

28% of students do not have access to a school-issued or personal tablet or computer and only 66% have home internet access.

Dunn says the survey asked what districts needed to be more successful with distance learning, and many said more professional development was needed for teachers.

Cut 9 (09) “…to be successful.″

____________________________________

Louisiana House GOP Leader Blake Miguez says Louisiana needs to reopen its economy on a parish by parish basis, but Governor Edwards disagrees.

Miguez wrote a letter to the Governor calling on him to implement Phase One of the federal reopening plan after the stay-at-home order ends April 30th.

Cut 10 (10) “owners”

Phase One allows for limited reopening like dine-in restaurants while calling for sustained social distancing and use of public PPE.

But Edwards says he’s leaning towards issuing any guidance at a state level. He says for those getting anxious under the current stay at home order…

Cut 11 (09) “…stay home.”

Phase One guidelines advise reopenings can be handled at a parish level.

Edwards says he will be using hard benchmarks for deciding if the state will implement Phase One after April 30th, one being that Louisiana has the capacity to test 140-150,000 people a month.

Cut 12 (10) “in place.”

The Governor says he plans to announce what restrictions the state will keep days before the current stay at home order expires on April 30th.

Miguez says testing capacity is important, and so are the other benchmarks, but if they are not met the state still needs to consider allowing some businesses to start back up.

Cut 13 (09) “…detrimental”

_____________________________

Governor Edwards gives the go-ahead for some time-sensitive elective medical procedures that have been canceled under the stay at home order to resume next Monday.

The relaxed restrictions are a result of lessening pressure on hospitals due to a flattening of the curve, but State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says not every procedure will be deemed necessary.

Cut 14 (10) “…decision.”

There’s been an ongoing challenge as to whether or not abortions count as essential procedures, but Guidry says under the relaxed order some abortions may proceed.

Cut 15 (08)“…or not”

National reports show a growing problem of people canceling vital treatments that are needed for chronic issues. Guidry says this order helps encourage those folks to get back to a doctor.

Cut 16  (11)  “…corona” 

04.20.20
by

530 PM LRN News

Louisiana reports a slight increase in the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations today for the first time since April 13th, and 32 more Louisianans are also reported to have died from COVID-19. To date 24,523 cases have been reported and 1,328 fatalities. 56 percent of the fatalities are African Americans, who make up just a third of the population.

The coronavirus economic collapse and an international price war lead to a historic collapse in oil prices…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

A Main Street America survey shows nearly 60-percent of small businesses in the state are in danger of closing permanently due to COVID-19 in the next six months. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is a co-chairman of the Resilient Louisiana Commission which will make recommendations on how to reopen the state’s economy…

Cut 12 (11) “…shops, etc”

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict in a 6-3 ruling of a case brought by Evangelisto Ramos, who was found guilty of killing a woman in New Orleans in 2014 on a 10-2 vote that he appealed on constitutional grounds. The decision will likely result in some high-profile retrials of people on direct review. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says one of those will likely be for Ronald Glasser who was convicted of murdering NFL running back Joe McKnight in 2016.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

04.20.20
by

4:30 PM Newscast

For the first time ever, West Texas Intermediate oil futures traded in the negative today.  Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the industry is facing a crisis, with many Louisiana wells planning to shut in 100% of their production due to storage constraints as companies are being told they can’t take delivery in May.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…have to take.”

Ten years ago today the BP Oil Spill killed 11 rig workers and coated much of the state’s coastline in tar. Congressman Garrett Graves was the head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority at the time. Louisiana received just over eight billion dollars in settlement funds to help restore the coast and billions more in economic damages as a result.

Cut 8 (09) “…states”

The spill pumped 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf.

 

A Main Street America survey shows nearly 60-percent of small businesses in the state are in danger of closing permanently due to COVID-19 in the next six months. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser encourages Louisianans to have a staycation when they can venture out again and to visit a part of the state they’ve never been to and support the local economy.

Cut 14 (08) “…local restaurant.”

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict, a decision likely to result in dozens of retrials in Louisiana. There are likely hundreds of people incarcerated in Louisiana due to non-unanimous verdicts whose cases are decided and whose appeals are done. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says for them…

Cut 10 (05) “…day.”

04.20.20
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast April 20

The N-F-L draft gets underway Thursday and the Saints have the 24th pick in the first round. Many mock drafts have New Orleans selecting Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Mike Triplett covers the Black and Gold for ESPN and says Murray and LSU’s Patrick Queen would bring more athleticism to that position…
cut 18 (24) “….the draft”

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas says they would like to sign former LSU Tiger Jamal Adams to a long term deal, but until that happens they’ll listen to trade offers. The All-Pro safety has two years left on his deal.

The expectation is for Cincinnati to take Joe Burrow with the first pick in Thursday night’s NFL draft. Former NFL great Peyton Manning told ESPN he recently spoke to Burrow and Manning warned Burrow his rookie season could be a rough one, but the future Hall of Famer said he learned a lot while taking those lumps. Manning’s Colts went from 3-and-13 in his rookie season to 13-and-3 the next year.

LSU men’s basketball reportedly receives a commitment from seven-foot center Josh Gray from Connecticut. If he signs, he’ll join an eight-man recruiting class that already features three members that are six-foot-eight or taller. Gray is listed as a three-star prospect who averaged 10 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots a game.

The Ragin Cajuns have reportedly received a verbal pledge from six-foot-six guard Devin Butts from Macon, Georgia. He played in six games last season for Mississippi State. He’ll have to sit out next season, unless the NCAA changes its rules to allow for immediate eligibility. A vote on that is expected soon. Butts averaged 28 points a game at Stratford Academy as a senior.

04.20.20
by

330 PM LRN News

Louisiana reports a slight increase in the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations today for the first time since April 13th, and 32 more Louisianans are also reported to have died from COVID-19.

So much more oil is being produced than consumed right now that producers are running out of places to store it, leading to a pricing quirk where future on a barrel of oil are in the never before seen negatives.  Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the energy industry is on the verge of collapse…

Cut 3 (08)  “…and it happens.”  

Ten years ago today the BP Oil Spill killed 11 rig workers and coated much of the state’s coastline in tar. The cleanup job was immense, but Congressman Garrett Graves, who was the head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority at the time, remembers it was expedited by a one of its kind agreement cut with BP to get projects off the ground in record time…

Cut 7 (10) “down payment”

A survey of Louisiana small businesses finds nearly 60-percent of them are at the risk of closing over the next five months…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict. In 2018, Louisiana passed a constitutional amendment ending its practice of allowing non-unanimous verdicts, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the amendment was not retroactive…

Cut 9 (08) “trials.″

 

04.20.20
by

230 PM LRN News

The combination of coronavirus related economic shutdowns and an ongoing international price war has pushed the price of a barrel of oil into never before seen territory: negative prices. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the only way these prices can bounce back to reasonable levels is if the economy is restarted, and drastic tax cuts on the industry are enacted.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of making payroll.”

Oil started the year at over 60 dollars a barrel.

It’s been ten years since the deadly BP Oil spill coated the coast in tar. Congressman Garrett Graves, who was the head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority at the time remembers how much progress that one calamity undid…

Cut 6 (10) “…made”

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict in a 6-3 ruling of a case brought by Evangelisto Ramos, who was found guilty of killing a woman in New Orleans in 2014 on a 10-2 vote that he appealed on constitutional grounds. The decision will likely result in some high-profile retrials of people on direct review. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says one of those will likely be for Ronald Glasser who was convicted of murdering NFL running back Joe McKnight in 2016.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

The state stay at home order is set to lift April 30th, but in New Orleans it’s been extended to May 16th. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he talking with Mayor Latoya Cantrell, who might reconsider the extension.

Cut 13 (09) “…make it”

 

04.20.20
by

LRN PM Newscall April 20

Crude oil traded in negative territory today. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

A survey of Louisiana small businesses finds nearly 60-percent of them are at the risk of closing over the next five months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

_____________________________

For the first time ever, West Texas Intermediate oil futures traded in the negative today.  Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the energy industry is on the verge of collapse…

Cut 3 (08)  “…and it happens.”  

Briggs says the industry is facing a crisis, with many Louisiana wells planning to shut in 100% of their production due to storage constraints as companies are being told they can’t take delivery in May.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…have to take.”

Briggs believes the biggest element to stabilizing the industry is to get the economy rolling again and says there are relief efforts such as broad-scale royalty relief in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of making payroll.”

__________________________________________

Ten years ago today the BP Oil Spill killed 11 rig workers and coated much of the state’s coastline in tar.

Congressman Garrett Graves was the head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority at the time. He says his first thoughts upon seeing the news were about the lives lost, and the work that had been undone.

Cut 6 (10) “…made”

The Deepwater Horizon well sat about 41 miles off the Louisiana coast drilling in the Macondo Prospect.

The cleanup job was immense, but Graves remembers it was expedited by a one of its kind agreement cut with BP to get projects off the ground in record time…

Cut 7 (10) “down payment”

Along with its financial penalties, BP also plead guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter and felony lying to Congress.

Louisiana received just over eight billion dollars in settlement funds to help restore the coast and billions more in economic damages as a result.

Cut 8 (09) “…states”

The spill pumped 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf.

___________________________________________________

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict, a decision likely to result in dozens of retrials in Louisiana.

In 2018, Louisiana passed a constitutional amendment ending its practice of allowing non-unanimous verdicts, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the amendment was not retroactive…

Cut 9 (08) “trials.″

After the amendment passed Oregon remained the only state not to require unanimous jury verdicts.

There are likely hundreds of people incarcerated in Louisiana due to non-unanimous verdicts whose cases are decided and whose appeals are done. Ciolino says for them…

Cut 10 (05) “…day.”

The decision will likely result in some high-profile retrials. Ciolino says one of those will likely be for Ronald Glasser who was convicted of murdering NFL running back Joe McKnight in 2016.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

The 6-3 ruling came as a result of an appeal by Evangelisto Ramos, who was found guilty of killing a woman in New Orleans in 2014 on a 10-2 vote that he appealed on constitutional grounds.

________________________________________________

A Main Street America survey shows nearly 60-percent of small businesses in the state are in danger of closing permanently due to COVID-19 in the next six months. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is a co-chairman of the Resilient Louisiana Commission which will make recommendations on how to reopen the state’s economy…

Cut 12 (11) “…shops, etc”

Nungesser says while the Mayor of New Orleans has extended its stay at home order to May 16th, but he’s optimistic the rest of the state can reopen businesses sooner and that even Mayor Cantrell might reconsider the extension.

Cut 13 (09) “…make it”

Nungesser encourages Louisianans to have a staycation when they can venture out again and to visit a part of the state they’ve never been to and support the local economy.

Cut 14 (08) “…local restaurant.”