The Press Club of Baton Rouge is temporarily suspending its schedule and will not be meeting because of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plea for people to stay at home because of the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Please stay safe and support our valiant news media.

The Press Club of Baton Rouge will not meet on March 23 but will return as quickly as possible with regular Monday meetings.

Col. Joey Strickland, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, will address the Press Club of Baton Rouge on Monday, March 16. Col. Strickland will highlight the department’s programs as it fulfills its mission to serve Louisiana’s 281,000 veterans. Press Club meets on Mondays in the East and West Baton Rouge Room at the Belle of Baton Rouge Hotel, which is located at 102 France St. Parking is free in the garage off Mayflower Street. Lunch, which is served at 11:30 a.m., is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. The public is invited, but only members of the Press Club and the news media are allowed to ask questions during the question-and-answer portion of the program.

The Press Club of Baton Rouge will not meet on March 9 because of the start of the Louisiana Legislative Session on that date. The meetings will resume on March 16 with Joey Strickland, secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs, as speaker. Press Club meets on Mondays at the Belle of Baton Rouge Hotel, which is located at 102 France St.