coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Small business owners hope for more money for the PPP, and a fair shot at getting it

As small businesses go, NewAperio has weathered the COVID-19 recession pretty well. While the Baton Rouge-based web and mobile app developer has a central office, founder and CEO Logan Leger said, the team already worked remotely.

Department of Health reporting COVID-19 cases by census tract

The Louisiana Department of Health on Monday began posting an interactive map of COVID-19 cases by census tract. The map is part of the department’s dashboard of COVID-19 data at ldh.la.gov/coronavirus/ The map helps answer the public’s question about how close the virus is hitting to home.

29 dead in St. Landry Parish from COVID-19

There have been 29 deaths from COVID-19 in St. Landry Parish as of the noon Wednesday report on the Louisiana Department of Health’s website, ldh.la.gov/coronavirus. There have been 140 cases in St. Landry Parish.

Central Louisiana economic dashboard released

As many local business leaders question the impact that COVID-19 is having on the Central Louisiana economy, the Louisiana State University of Alexandria’s College of Business responds with the creation of the CENLA Economic Dashboard. R.

Survey finds challenges in providing education

School districts are making progress in providing continuous education to students, but a survey of the state’s 192 school systems finds significant challenges remaining, according to s Louisiana Department of Education news release on Monday.

"Perfect Storm" strikes oil and gas industry

On Monday, West Texas Intermediate futures (WTI) traded below $11 a barrel for the first time since 1986, reaching as low as $10.63 early Monday morning, indicating a drop in price of over 80% since the beginning of the year, according to a news release from the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association.

Fund set up to help south Louisiana bar owners

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation (LHF) announced the creation of The South Louisiana Bar Owner Relief Fund. The fund was established to support bars located in South Louisiana, as they continue to struggle from the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus blood drive Tuesday

The LifeShare blood mobile will be at Acadian Medical Center parking lot from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment using the link at donor.lifeshare.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/210391 Only a certain number of donors will be allowed on the bus at a time.

Keep Eunice Beautiful asks public to take care disposing of gloves, masks

Keep Eunice Beautiful issued an urgent call for all residents and visitors to properly dispose of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, including used sanitizing wipes, masks, and plastic gloves. These belong in the trash, not on the ground.

Gov. creates Resilient Louisiana Commission

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the creation of Resilient Louisiana, a state commission charged with examining Louisiana’s economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic and making recommendations for more resilient business-related activities and commerce in the coming months. The 18-member panel includes Lt.