There are now 240 known coronavirus cases across 13 parishes in Louisiana as the total number of cases rose by nearly 50 this morning. The death toll remains at four. Governor John Bel Edwards will provide an update at 12:30 today.

The restaurant industry is feeling the impact of the fight against COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Congress is working on a massive economic stimulus package that will result in Americans receiving a direct payment from the federal government. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the goal is for the first check to arrive by the end of the first week of April…
cut 6 (07) “….is going”
Speculation out of Washington D-C says the first check could be around one-thousand dollars.

Many people are out of work as a result of the coronavirus and Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the number of unemployment claims has tripled…
cut 11 (10) “….as well”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire. If your work hours have been reduced or your workplace has been closed temporarily than you could be eligible for up to 247-dollars a week.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy said on a conference call with reporters this morning that Americans could receive a check from the federal government by April. And a second check would follow six to eight weeks later. Cassidy says the Coronavirus checks are part of a large economic stimulus package Congress is considering….
cut 5 (10) “…etcetera”

Thousands of Louisianans are not getting paid as a result of the coronavirus. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says if your work hours have been reduced, if your workplace closed temporarily or if you have been instructed to go home and are not getting paid, then you may be eligible for up to 247-dollars a week in benefits…
cut 10 (08) “…abide by”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire or call 1-866-783-5567.

Since Governor John Bel Edwards has shut down dining at restaurants, many establishments have changed their menus and providing take out and delivery service. President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says L-R-A-dot-org is a valuable resource for industry workers impacted by the outbreak and more information will be coming soon for consumers trying to find open restaurants…
cut 9 (09) “….times a day”

The state capitol is free from lawmakers as the 2020 regular session is on a hiatus until at least March 31st. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says when they return, they’ll need to work on passing a budget by July 1st…
cut 14 (10) “…to a halt”
The legislative session is set to end on June 1st.

We’re about an hour away from the state department of health updating the number of coronavirus cases in Louisiana. We entered today with 196 cases and four deaths. The New Orleans area remains the epicenter. 136 cases in Orleans Parish and 35 in Jefferson Parish. The number of cases is expected to rise.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says social distancing is the best weapon against COVID-19…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Many people are out of work as a result of the business closures and Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the number of unemployment claims has tripled…
cut 11 (10) “….as well”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire. If your work hours have been reduced, partial benefits could be available to up to a maximum of 247-dollars a week.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says committee hearing dates are set and bills are ready to move when the legislative session is scheduled to resume on March 31. Schexnayder says he and Senate President Page Cortez have worked on a contingency plan in the event that COVID-19 slows down things even more, but he does not foresee that being an issue.
Cut 13 (04) “people’s jobs done.”

Unemployment insurance claimants will no longer have to wait a week from their last check to file, and requirements for keeping benefits are being relaxed. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The restaurant industry is having to adjust to the precautionary closings of dining areas. President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says there is a fear of the unknown and questions remain as to how long this could last.
Cut 7 (06) “…part of it.”

The federal government is looking at passing an economic stimulus package that would help workers and businesses as a result of the partial economic shutdown because of the spread of the coronavirus. Emergency checks for Americans is a possibility and the overall economic aid package could approach one trillion dollars. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says this must be done and can be done…
cut 6 (06) “…higher”

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are back in their districts as they wait to resume the 2020 regular session on March 31st. The session is set to end June 1st and a budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st must be passed. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s not too concerned about the number of days that will be left to conduct the remainder of the session…
cut 15 (10) “…people of Louisiana”

Congress and the President are discussing a massive series of potential bailouts and financial aid packages to counter the economic devastation being caused by COVID-19. Senator Bill Cassidy says a growing number of lawmakers and the President back a plan to send every American a check in the next few weeks.
Cut 4 (11)_ “patch”
Lawmakers are discussing sending Americans a one-thousand dollar check.

The restaurant industry is facing a difficult time as the spread of the coronavirus has prohibited the public from eating inside those establishments. Restaurants can still serve food via drive-thru, curbside or delivery. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the industry is grateful for these exceptions…
cut 8 (06) “….to their customers”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the number of people to file unemployment claims was triple than the normal volume on Monday and Tuesday. Casinos, bars, gyms and movie theaters are closed for a month. The tourism industry is also taking a hit. L-W-C executive director Ava Dejoie says workers who are experiencing a temporary layoff or reduction in hours are encouraged to apply for benefits but keep in mind if you’re a 10-99 employees…
cut 12 (13) “…benefits”
L-W-C is waiving the requirement that those receiving benefits prove they are actively searching for work.

In the last update for the day, the Louisiana Department of Health reveals that 196 cases of COVID-19 have been found in the state so far up from 136 yesterday. 136 are found in Orleans Parish. East Baton Rouge also finds it’s first case today. Four people have so far died from the virus, with two of the victims coming from a New Orleans nursing home that’s seen a number of cases.

The Governor ordered the closure of a number of businesses yesterday, and restrictions on restaurants as a result of the growing number of cases, and the 2020 Legislative Session was suspended until March 31^st as a result. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins isn’t happy about that decision. Higgins says it’s an infringement on people’s rights, and there’s no way to charge them.

Cut 5 (13)  “…is our property.”

The Governor’s office has responded saying Congressman Higgins clearly cares more about Facebook views than Louisianans.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking a waiver so they can cancel standardized exams for this year, which would also mean test scores would not be part of a teacher’s evaluation. BESE President Sandy Holloway says certain requirements for graduating seniors have also been set aside…

Cut 8 (12) “…them through this.”

BESE has already decided that annual school performance scores will not be announced next year.

Drew Brees and the Saints have reportedly agreed to a new two-year 50-million dollar contract to keep the future hall of famer in New Orleans. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says he’s getting old but Brees can still win games…

Cut 13 (09) “…this league”

There are some Saints fans who believe the team should turn to backup Teddy Bridgewater. But Bridgewater is reportedly finalizing a deal with Carolina.

Louisiana is up to 196 COVID-19 positive tests as the pandemic continues to spread across the state, with East Baton Rouge Parish now reporting it’s first case.

Congress is also negotiating with the Trump Administration about a potential financial aid package, headlined by the President’s call that every America receives an aid check in the mail to help head off economic damage caused by COVID-19 closures. An exact number has not been agreed to, but the number most commonly floated is one thousand dollars.

 Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the fed assistance is appreciated, but locals need to pitch in too with the Gift Card Challenge. He says gift cards will give restaurants the cash they desperately need now.

Cut 11 (07) “near term.”

900,000 people in the state are employed by small businesses.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking a waiver so they can cancel standardized exams for this year, which would also mean test scores would not be part of a teacher’s evaluation. BESE President Sandy Holloway says BESE and the Louisiana Department of Education are also crafting a letter to the United States Department of Education because they have the ultimate authority in granting any sort of flexibility.

Cut 7 (10) “…for a waiver.”

Drew Brees and the Saints have reportedly agreed to a new two-year 50-million dollar contract to keep the future hall of famer in New Orleans. Before announcing that he would play a 20th season, Brees says he’s taking it year-by-year on whether he’ll keep playing. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says a two-year contract benefits the Saints

Cut 14 (10) “…wiggle room.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins releases a video aimed at Governor Edwards, criticizing his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.  Edwards ordered the closure of bars, movie theatres, casinos, and limiting restaurant service to carry out and delivery.  Higgins says it’s hard to comprehend the Edwards’s decisions.

Cut 3 (10)  “…they’re not stupid.”  

The Governor’s office has responded saying Congressman Higgins clearly cares more about Facebook views than Louisianans.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking a waiver so they can cancel standardized exams for this year, which would also mean test scores would not be part of a teacher’s evaluation. BESE President Sandy Holloway says with schools closed until April 13th, this is the right thing to do.

Cut 6 (10) “…families and educators.”

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says state companies are getting hammered right now as a result of COVID-19 shutdowns. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says the crisis is an threat to the existence of the state’s 450,000 small businesses that employ 900,000 people whose jobs are now threatened.

Cut 9 (10) “…this″

LABI is also encouraging residents to buy gift cards from local impacted businesses, and order online to support them.
Drew Brees and the Saints have reportedly agreed to a new two-year 50-million dollar contract to keep the future hall of famer in New Orleans. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says it’s the right move to re-sign the 41-year-old at an affordable price for a star quarterback…

Cut 12 (10) “…some leeway.”