KAJN Jesus FM 102.9


3-23-20

Gov. John Bel Edwards has issued a statewide “stay at home” directive, ordering all 4.6 million people in Louisiana to stay at home starting at 5 p.m. today unless they’re performing an essential task like getting food or medicine. The Louisiana Democrat’s order exempts first responders and workers at grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors’ offices and other critical infrastructure. People can still go out to exercise and walk their dogs, and he says authorities won’t be asking people where they are going, but the governor said Sunday that “we are in a race against time when it comes to this coronavirus.”

 

THE STATE IS UP TO EIGHT-HUNDRED-THIRTY-SEVEN CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND TWENTY DEATHS.  ACADIA PARISH WAS ADDED TO THE LIST OF PARISHES THAT HAVE AT LEAST ONE CASE.  CALCASIEU PARISH IS UP TO FOUR CASES AND BEAUREGARD PARISH HAS IT’S FIRST CASE.  THE STATE WAS UPDATING IT’S FIGURES TWICE A DAY, BUT NOW THEY WILL GIVE NEW FIGURES JUST ONCE A DAY AT NOON.

 

L-C-G OFFICIALS SAY THE FREE COVID NINETEEN SCREENING SITE AT THE CAJUNDOME WILL OPEN THIS MORNING FROM EIGHT-THIRTY TO TEN-THIRTY.  GERALD GREUNIG HAS MORE.

 

VOICER V :42

 

The new coronavirus has thawed some of the frostiest relationships in Louisiana politics, or at least quieted much of the public feuding. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry have sparred across the four years they have been in their statewide jobs. But Edwards and Landry stood together last week with similar messages to Louisiana residents about the need to take the virus seriously and follow aggressive restrictions aimed at keeping most people home. Also refusing to criticize Edwards was another long-time GOP critic, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy.

 

THE EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ON THE ECONOMY IS CRIPPLING CRAWFISH FARMERS.  VERMILLION PARISH FARMER CHRISTIAN RICHARD SAYS CRAWFISH HAVE BEEN PLENTIFUL IN NUMBERS AND SIZE.  BUT SALES ARE LOW AS RESTAURANT DINING ROOMS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND THERE HAVE BEEN FEWER BACKYARD CRAWFISH BOILS.  GERARD FREY, A CRAWFISH PRODUCER FROM ACADIA PARISH, TELLS THE ADVOCATE THEY’VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO SELL ABOUT TEN TO FIFTEEN PERCENT OF THEIR CATCH, WHICH IS UNPRECEDENTED.

 

THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT’S RESERVE FUND IS HEALTHY, ACCORDING TO CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LORRIE TOUPS, SO THEY CAN WEATHER THE HITS TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY IN THE  SHORT TERM, BUT SHE’S WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE.  THEY HAVE FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS IN RESERVE’S BUT, SHE SAYS, ONCE IT’S SPENT, IT’S GONE.  SHE TELLS THE ADVOCATE IT MAY BE WEEKS BEFORE THEY FEEL THE FINANCIAL EFFECTS BECAUSE SALES TAX RECEIPTS ARE REPORTED A MONTH LATE.  TOUPS SAYS PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MORE NOW STOCKING UP BUT THAT WILL CHANGE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

 

THE ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL STOP PROVIDING MEALS TO STUDENTS.  SUPERINTENDENT SCOTT RICHARD SAYS THEY DECIDED TO PROVIDE MEALS TODAY AND THEN STOP UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  HE SAYS THE GOVERNOR’S STAY AT HOME ORDER BEGINNING AT FIVE P-M TODAY IS WHAT PROMPTED THE DECISION.  HE DIRECTS PEOPLE TO THE ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM’S WEBSITE FOR FURTHER UPDATES.

 

The reward for information leading to the person or people responsible for killing an endangered whooping crane has increased to $10,000. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says donations from various groups doubled an earlier reward. The crane’s body was found in Jefferson Davis Parish in November. A necropsy determined the crane had been shot that day or the previous day.