The White House is reportedly set to recommend Americans wear a facemask while out in public to halt the spread of coronavirus. There’s been a rash of articles and tutorials in recent days about how to make your own facemask at home, and Edwards is asking folks to use those, and not N95s.
Cut 7 (08) “…enough.”
Most online tutorials say you only need some cloth, like handkerchiefs, and elastic bands to make the most basic DIY mask.
92% of small businesses are reporting a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic according to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says some businesses are choosing to forego the use of loans from government programs because they don’t want to get tangled in the extra paperwork or debt.
Cut 5 (11)  “…plenty who do.”

Businesses with under 500 employees can now apply to receive a Small Business Administration loan from the feds to help cover payroll, and some other expenses for the next two months. The funds can only be used for payroll, rent, utilities, and some interest costs, but CPA Ben Vance says it’s really intended to keep your workers employed.

Cut 13 (08) “…forgiven”

The Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway today to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. For the first time ever, it’s the third straight year the flood structure has been utilized. COVID-19 may have many workers staying home, but Colonel Stephen Murphy says levee workers are essential.

Cut 11 (10) “…COVID-19.”

The state is reporting 10,297 cases of the coronavirus an increase of more than a thousand from the day before. The state has now recorded 370 deaths related to COVID-19 an increase of 60 from the previous day. Currently 1,707 are hospitalized, and 535 are on ventilators.

92% of small businesses are feeling the negative impacts of COVID-19, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Thanks to the federal stimulus businesses with under 500 employees can now apply to receive a Small Business Administration loan to help cover payroll, and other expenses for the next two months. CPA Ben Vance says businesses who qualify get a loan amount that is determined by the SBA.

Cut 12 (09) “…2.5”

If spent according to guidelines established by the SBA, the loan will be forgiven.

The Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway today to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. For the first time ever, it’s the third straight year the flood structure has been utilized. Colonel Stephen Murphy says it’s been another tough year for the River. To date, they’ve been in a phase one flood fight for 87 of the 93 days this calendar year.

Cut 10 (09) “…days”

The state is reporting 10,297 cases of the coronavirus an increase of 1,147 in one day. The state has also recorded 370 deaths related to COVID-19 an increase of 69 from the day before. Currently, 1,707 are hospitalized, and 535 are on ventilators.

National media outlets are reporting the CDC is set to recommend Americans wear a facemask when out in public to slow down the spread of COVID-19…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

92% of small businesses are reporting a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic according to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says the leading factor is slower sales as reported by 80% of small businesses.

Cut  4 (13)_ “…started the survey.”

Starns also says some businesses are choosing to forego the use of loans from government programs because they don’t want to get tangled in the extra paperwork or debt.

92% of small businesses are reporting a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic according to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says small businesses can only last for so long before throwing in the towel.
Cut 3 (07) “…three to six months.”
Starns says the leading factor is slow sales.

The CDC is reportedly set to recommend Americans wear a facemask while out in public to halt the spread of coronavirus. Governor Edwards says the state is awaiting official word from the feds before calling for public face mask usage in Louisiana, but…
Cut 6 (12) “…that.”
Many Asian countries practice widespread use of public mask-wearing during viral scares.

The Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway this morning to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. For the first time ever, it’s third straight year the flood structure has been utilized. Colonel Stephen Murphy says by opening the spillway, they are diverting part of the river’s flow away from New Orleans…
cut 9 (11) “…maintain that level”
Murphy says they plan to open 10 to 20 bays today and if the weather cooperates they hope the spillway will only have to be open for a month.

The Department of Children and Family Services says non-custodial parents are still required to pay child support during the coronavirus pandemic. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales if a parent loses a job and can’t make a payment, call a child support worker…
cut 14 (08) “…had been doing”
Under ordinary times, the state can suspend a delinquet parents license or passport, but they Scales says they are not taking that type of action at this time.

Louisiana’s stay at home order has been extended through April. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

The Army Corps of Engineers re-opens bays on the Bonnet Carre Spillway today to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. It’s the third time the Corps is operating the flood control structure over the last 15 months. The spillway was opened twice last year and fishermen say the diversion of freshwater killed their catch and created large algae blooms.

The state department of education is letting local school systems decide on whether high school seniors will receive their diploma. A school district can either assign a letter grade for classwork done this semester or simply say the student either passed or failed. And Assistant state superintendent Ken Bradford says seniors currently taking dual-enrollment courses have completion options, including an in-progress designation…
cut 12 (13) “…of course”
Bradford says diplomas are scheduled to print and arrive on time.

The State Treasurer is shipping out four million dollars’ worth of unclaimed property checks to Louisianans this week. John Schroder says by working with the Department of Revenue they’ve identified tens of thousands of recipients who are owed money they can use right now.
Cut 7 (06) “…week”

Governor Edwards has officially extended the state’s stay at home order until April 30th. Edwards says it is absolutely critical for each Louisianan to take this order seriously. He says federal modeling shows 1,834 Louisianans will die of COVID-19 by August…
Cut 4 (08)_ “…76.”
Currently, 310 people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and new numbers will come out at noon.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says non-custodial parents are required to pay child support during this time, but Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says they are not taking any action against deadbeat parents. Scales if you have questions call I-888-L-A-Help-U…
cut 15 (12) “…right direction”

The state department of education is not requiring high school seniors to take standardized tests, so it will be up local school systems to decide on whether a senior graduates. Kevin Barnhart has more…
voicer 2 (28) “…Kevin Barnhart”

Former state legislator Marty Chabert says Lockport Representative Reggie Bagala has been put on a ventilator as he battles the coronavirus. The 54-year-old is the second member of the House to test positive for COVID-19. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has also tested positive and was hospitalized with pneumonia. James has been released but will quarantine until fully recovered.

Governor Edwards has extended Louisiana’s Stay at home order to April 30th. The number of reported coronavirus cases has surpassed 91-hundred and 310 people have died…
cut 6 (10) “…to happen”
Edwards says federal modeling data shows that Louisiana could see more than 18-hundred deaths by August.

High School seniors are expected to graduate next month, but schools will remain closed through April. Assistant State Superintendent of Education Ken Bradford says local school systems will determine if students have met the requirements to graduate. He says for classes taken this semester students could receive a pass-or-fail grade instead of a letter grade…
cut 11 (10) “…impact their GPA”
All requirements to receive TOPS have remained the same and seniors are still encouraged to complete financial aid planning.

If you owe child support, the Department of Children and Family Services is not relaxing on payments during the pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state treasure’s office is mailing over 45-hundred checks worth four-million dollars to Louisiana residents. State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s money from the unclaimed property fund and they used data from the department of revenue to find people who are owed this money…
cut 8 (08) “….week”

Louisiana’s stay at home order has been extended through April. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

State Treasurer John Schroder says his office is mailing four-million dollars worth of unclaimed property checks to Louisiana residents…
cut 9 (05) “…average”
Unclaimed property funds include payroll checks, old bank accounts, royalties, utility deposits, and interest payments.

The state education department is leaving up to local systems to decide if high school seniors have met course requirements in order to graduate. Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says seniors do not have to take standardized tests, but local school systems will decide how to award course credits…
Cut 10 (08) “…high school credit.”
Bradford says the school system can determine if the student should receive a letter grade for the class he was taking or a simple pass-fail grade.

The Department of Children and Family Services is not relaxing child support payments due to the pandemic. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says non-custodial parents are still on the hook for money owed despite their employment status, but no enforcement actions will be taken.

310 people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and Governor Edwards says modeling done by the University of Washington predicts the state will see 18-hundred COVID-19 deaths even if mitigation efforts are in place through May 30th. Currently, over five-hundred people are on ventilators in Louisiana and Edwards says finding more vents is difficult…
cut 5 (11) “….ago”
Edwards says his office has reported cases of price gouging to the Department of Justice.

The price of crude oil surged 25-percent after President Donald Trump posted on Twitter that he expects Russia and Saudi Arabia will step down from their price-cutting war. Also, Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy are asking the president for royalty relief to save Louisiana oil and gas jobs.

The state Department of Education issues guidance for school districts on how to handle the impending graduating class of high school seniors.
Cut 2 (28) “…Kevin Barnhart ”

The Department of Children and Family Services says non-custodial parents are still required to pay child support during the coronavirus pandemic. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales if a parent loses a job and can’t make a payment, call a child support worker…
cut 14 (08) “…had been doing”