Governor Edwards issues a statewide shelter in place order, and the closure of all “non-essential” businesses in Louisiana. The order does not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, and allows for restaurants to serve takeout or drive-through meals, but for individuals…
Cut 13 (12) “go out.”
Edwards says the shelter-in-place goes into effect at 5 PM and lasts until April 12. He says it’s necessary because Louisiana has the fastest growth of new Coronavirus cases in the world. The state has 832 positive cases.

Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says its health system is prepared to handle a potential influx of COVID-19 patients. Despite reports of hospitals lacking personal protective equipment and not enough respirators, Thomas says they are in good shape right now.
Cut 10 (11) “equipment.”
Thomas says they are sourcing new beds to increase their capacity should a surge of patients arrive.

Governor John Bel Edwards will take to radio and television airwaves tonight at 7PM for a one-hour broadcast to address Louisiana’s fight against the spread of COVID-19. Edwards’ spokesperson Shauna Sanford says the goal is to answer many of the questions the public has about the pandemic.
Cut 7 (12) “…who are unemployed.”
There will be no audience at the LPB studio, but Edwards and a health care professional along with other guests will answer questions from the public that were sent in over the weekend.

Started the day at 537 coronavirus cases in Louisiana and 14 deaths. Now up to 585 and 16 dead. There have been reports of another death at the Lambeth House in New Orleans and a contract worker at a plant in St. Charles Parish has also died.

Governor Edwards, along with health experts and members of his administration will discuss Louisiana’s response to COVID-19 during a one-hour program that will air on radio and TV stations starting at 7 PM on Monday. Kevin Barnhart has more..
Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says their health system is prepared to handle a potential influx of COVID-19 patients. Despite reports of hospitals lacking personal protective equipment and not enough respirators, Thomas says they are in good shape right now.
Cut 10 (11) “equipment.”
Thomas says they’ve already begun sourcing new beds to increase their capacity should a surge of patients arrive.

Unemployment insurance claims are skyrocketing. Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the department has received over 30,000 new claims this week.
Cut 3 (08) “…call claim volume.”
Dejoie says the best way to file a claim is online at LAworks.net.

Governor John Bel Edwards will take to radio and television airwaves Monday at 7PM for a one-hour broadcast to address Louisiana’s fight against the spread of COVID-19. Edwards’ spokesperson Shauna Sanford says the goal is to answer many of the questions the public has about the pandemic.
Cut 7 (12) “…who are unemployed.”
You can watch at L-P-B and it will also be heard on many of these same stations.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dipped to $1.93. COVID-19 economic impacts, as well as overproduction between OPEC and Russia, are the main factors. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman…
Cut 6 (08) “…were at $2.13”
Oil prices are at their lowest levels since the early 2000s.

Children are preparing to transition into online learning as physical schools are shut down. Kevin Barnhart talks to an expert for tips to make the change easier.
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana has waived its standardized testing for students this school year. Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory has shut down salons, spas, and tattoo parlors. And Rapides Parish Sheriff deputies arrested 27-year-old Waylon Bailey of Forest Hill on one count of terrorism for an alleged social media post that said the sheriff’s office has issued an order to shoot anyone who has the coronavirus.

Fourteen people are dead due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Louisiana and the state has 537 cases. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has issued a “stay at home” order for the city. Governor Edwards says models show New Orleans area hospitals could be overwhelmed in the next week to 10 days as a “worst-case scenario.” Edwards says they’re trying to secure enough health care workers and they’re moving respirators from surgical centers that perform elective surgeries, into frontline hospitals.
Cut 11 (10) “…state.”
A lack of respirators is reported at the heart of many of the COVID-19 deaths in Italy.

One of the 14 people who died from the COVID-19 outbreak in Louisiana passed away at an Ouachita Parish hospital. The person was 38-years-old and from Catahoula Parish. The state health department says the victim had underlying health conditions.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has been inundated with virus-related unemployment assistance claims…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards will take to radio and television airwaves Monday night at 7PM for a one-hour broadcast that will address Louisiana’s fight against the spread of COVID-19. Members of the public are encouraged to submit questions for the panel to l-p-b-dot-org-backslash-questions.

COVID-19 cases can be found in 28 parishes and there are 537 positive cases statewide and 14 deaths. This surge in coronavirus activity has prompted Governor Edwards to ask companies with a stockpile of N95 masks to call the Department of Economic Development and donate them to hospitals that are in need of personal protective equipment…
Cut 10 (11) “…settings”

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dipped to $1.93, the lowest since 2016. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says we could see gas prices fall to post nine-eleven numbers…
Cut 7 (07) “…heading pretty soon.”
Gas prices have fallen 20-cents over the last month.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the department has been inundated with unemployment assistance claims. Dejoie says staffing of the department has been shifted from other divisions to help process the 30,000+ new claims.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…appreciate your patience.”
The first checks are anticipated to be sent out next week. The maximum unemployment benefit is $247 per week.
Food banks across the nation are seeing a surge in those seeking assistance. Second Harvest Food Bank spokesperson Jay Vise says this situation is different from a hurricane because grocery stores are still open, but there are many people including seniors and those with compromised immune systems in which it’s dangerous for them to leave their home
Cut 13 (08) “…dire soon”

Fourteen people are dead due to Louisiana’s COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 537 cases have been discovered in the state. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has issued a “stay at home” order for the city.
The state is working overtime to secure enough face masks for hospital workers, and respirators for potential patients ahead of what may be a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the department has been inundated with over 30-thousnad unemployment assistance claims this week, as many people have lost work due to COVID-19. Some are experiencing issues in trying to file claims and Dejoie recommends trying to do so in off-peak hours.

Cut 5 (08)  “…the system down.”

Dejoie says the best way to file a claim is online at LAworks.net.

Food banks across the nation are seeing a surge in those seeking assistance with the COVID-19 outbreak’s effect on the economy. Second Harvest Food Bank spokesperson Jay Vise reassured those in need that as Americans we will get through the crisis and wants to encourage all of us to work together. Vise says if you can’t donate financially to a local food bank reach out and offer your time.

Cut 14 (08) “…each other.”

Second Harvest serves 23 Parishes in the state including the greater New Orleans area and Lafayette

Fourteen people are dead due to Louisiana’s COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 537 cases have been discovered in the state. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has issued a “stay at home” order for the city.
Governor Edwards says projections showing New Orleans area hospitals capacity being topped in the next week to 10 days a “worst-case scenario.” In addition to seeking personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, Edwards says they’re also looking to move respirators in surgical centers that perform elective surgeries, into frontline hospitals.
Cut 11 (10) “…state.”
A lack of respirators is reported at the heart of many of the COVID-19 deaths in Italy.
The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dipped to about $1.95.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says post-9/11 prices are likely ahead.
Cut 7 (07) “…heading pretty soon.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the department has been inundated with unemployment assistance claims as many people have lost work due to COVID-19. Dejoie says staffing of the department has been shifted from other divisions to help process the 30,000+ new claims.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…appreciate your patience.”

The first checks are anticipated to be sent out next week. The maximum unemployment benefit is $247 per week.

Food banks across the nation are seeing a surge in those seeking assistance with the COVID-19 outbreak’s effect on the economy. Second Harvest Food Bank spokesperson Jay Vise says this situation is different from a hurricane because grocery stores are still open right now but, there are many people including seniors and those with compromised immune systems in which it’s dangerous for them to go to the grocery stores.

Cut 13 (08) “…dire soon”

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell orders residents to stay at home as the number of cases in the city balloons. 

25 parishes now have reported cases of COVID-19 for a total of 479 positive tests and 13 deaths. This surge in COVID activity has prompted Governor Edwards to ask companies with a stockpile of N95 masks to call the Department of Economic Development and be generous in donating them to hospitals that are in need of personal protective equipment…

Cut 10 (11) “…settings”

Unemployment insurance claims are skyrocketing. Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says as of noon on Thursday, the department had received 30,000 new claims this week.

Cut 3 (08)  “…call claim volume.”  

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dipped to about $1.95.  COVID-19 economic impacts, as well as overproduction between OPEC and Russia, are two main factors.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says this isn’t the normal season for savings at the pump.

Cut 6 (08) “…were at $2.13”

The price of a barrel of oil has collapsed, now hovering in the mid-20s, it’s lowest levels since the early 2000s.

Food banks across the nation are seeing a surge in those seeking assistance with the COVID-19 outbreak’s effect on the economy. Second Harvest serves 23 Parishes in the state including the greater New Orleans area and Lafayette, Communications Director Jay Vise (Vice) says they are no different.

Cut 12 (08) “…showing up”

They’re asking for financial contributions, or volunteers at their facilities.