Another escape from a juvenile jail in Louisiana; one of several so far this year. This time, an overnight breakout at the Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish. Office of Juvenile Justice spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says law enforcement was able to catch some of the youths shortly after the escape…:

CUT 07(08)      “…remain at large.”

Parents of the escapees have been notified, as the search for them continues.

US 5^th Circuit Court Judge Shelly Dick denies a request from Senate President Page Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder for a deadline extension to redraw the current congressional map. The deadline of June 20th remains in effect. Meanwhile law makers at the Capitol continue debate of proposed district map legislation. Judge Dick tossed the map because it doesn’t reflect the states’ one-third Black voting population, by making one-third of its six districts majority-minority districts.

With a major widening of Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge getting underway, some are concerned about what will happen during rush hour traffic, and – even worse – what about a hurricane evacuation? DOTD recommends you plan a hurricane escape route that doesn’t involve using a busy major highway.

Another day of Saints minicamp is in the books. Quarterback Jameis Winston has been setting the tone as one of the first in the building and the last to leave practice. Yesterday he told reporters that it’s been hard to keep himself from going all out as he continues to recover from ACL surgery, though he is staying on the program the team has for him…:

CUT 17(15)      “…trust them.”

Lawmakers are discussing two Congressional maps in Senate Governmental Affairs this morning, in an effort to meet the June 20^th court-imposed deadline. In discussions over Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ map, Slidell Senator, and committee chair Sharon Hewitt, who also has a map up for discussion, criticized Fields’ map with two Black-majority districts because it spilt a community in her own district…:

CUT 03(15)      “…your plan.”

But Jared Evans, with the Legal Defense Fund, endorsed Fields’ Congressional map….:

CUT 04(10)      “…called for.”

A federal judge has denied lawmakers request for more time to submit that new district map. The June 20^th deadline looms.

Iberville Parish deputies exercised search warrants for St. Gabriel Police Chief Kevin Ambeau’s home and office yesterday, after it was noticed a large sum of cash disappeared from the evidence room. That discovery was made as the DA prepared to take the case to trial. Sheriff Brett Stassi says the FBI is also in on the case. What was found – in anything – has not been revealed.

The US House of Representatives passes the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which will invest $1.4-billion annually to prevent wildlife extinction. Louisiana Wildlife Federation executive director Rebecca Triche says they are enthused that the bill should get its U.S. Senate vote soon…:

CUT 26(12)      “…additional funding”

Triche says three-fourths of voters in Louisiana agree that more needs to be done to conserve land and wildlife in the state.

Iberville Parish deputies exercised search warrants for St. Gabriel Police Chief Kevin Ambeau’s home and office yesterday, after it was noticed a large sum of cash disappeared from the evidence room. That discovery was made as the DA prepared to take the case to trial. Sheriff Brett Stassi says the FBI is also in on the case. What was found – in anything – has not been revealed.

Senate Governmental Affairs is meeting to discuss two potential Congressional district maps. One map submitted by Baton Rouge Senator and Democrat Cleo Fields contains two majority-Black districts which would meet the stipulations handed down by a federal judge and the other is by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt that only has one majority-Black district.

The session began yesterday, and Fields called out Hewitt who believes the map with only one majority-Black district that passed in the February session is legal. Fields says Hewitt, who attended town hall meetings heard from voters across the state.

Cut 15 (05)  “…black district.”

Hewitt however feels the Congressional map that lawmakers gave final passage to during the redistricting session is lawful.

Cut 16 (12)  “…here we are.”

Even though Republican lawmakers have said six-days is not enough time for them to pass a new map with two majority-Black districts Governor Edwards believes otherwise. Edwards issued a statement this morning that it is too early to cancel the present session, he says major legislation has been passed in similar time frames.

Cut  11 (12)  “…was passed.” 

The US House of Representatives has passed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, that would give Louisiana $15 million annually to prevent wildlife extinction. The bill has bipartisan support and Executive Director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation Rebecca Triche says the bill is expected to be voted on in the Senate next month.

Cut 6 (12)  “…additional funding.”

Legislative leaders appear in a federal court seeking more time to redraw Louisiana’s Congressional district map. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

During his monthly radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards reiterated his support for a second majority-Black congressional district…:
Cut 10 (11) “redistricting principles”

The US House of Representatives has passed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which dedicates $1.4 billion annually to prevent wildlife extinction. Executive Director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation Rebecca Triche says this would mean a significant boost to help endangered wildlife and the state’s ecosystem. Current support for such preservation is funded by hunting and fishing license fees..:
Cut 5 (09) “recovery work”
Triche says three-fourths of voters in Louisiana agree that more needs to be done to conserve land and wildlife in the state.

Saints minicamp continues and Quarterback Jameis Winston is working hard following his ACL surgery and recovery. He says he’d love to get as many reps as possible in games but for now he’s just working on the mental side of the game and leadership…:
CUt 18 (15) “everybody again”

Lawmakers resume talks today on two potential Congressional District Maps. One map submitted by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields contains two majority-Black districts which he says voters across the state support…:
Cut 15 (12) “black district”

Meanwhile Senate President Page Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder are scheduled to appear in court today to request a deadline extension to redraw the map to at least June 30th. Many House & Senate Republicans feel there’s insufficient time with the six days allotted to get a map passed in both chambers. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino in the bigger scheme of things, today’s court appearance by legislative leaders is…:
Cut 9 (14) “in mid-July”

With the special legislative redistricting session underway, Governor John Bel Edwards says he expects the legislature will do its duty. David Grubb has more..:
Cut 3 (39) “I’m David Grubb”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking for a contractor from Galliano who allegedly installed a camera in a bathroom vent in a home where he was working a job. They say 37-year-old Chase Cheramie is wanted for video voyeurism and if you know where he is please visit CrimeStoppersBR.org to submit an anonymous tip.

There was plenty of tension and arguing going on at the Capitol Wednesday as lawmakers began a special session on congressional redistricting.

Meanwhile legislative leaders today go before a federal judge in Baton Rouge to request more time to redraw a rejected district map. It was shot down because the judge said it didn’t reflect the state’s 1/3 Black voter population. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says he doesn’t see this as anything that will alter the job of lawmakers to pass that new map…:
Cut 7 (11) “or weeks later”
The House Speaker and Senate President are hoping the June 20th deadline will be extended.

During his monthly radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards reiterated his support for a second majority-Black congressional district. He expects the legislature will do its job…:
Cut 12 (08) “hopefully they will”

All four people believed to have been involved in the killing of an 80-year-old grandmother during a high school graduation shooting at Xavier University are in custody. Following the arrest of Brandon Rock, police say 49-year-old Frank Bartholomew and 40-year-old Laverne Duplessis and a 15-year-old juvenile turned themselves in Wednesday to the Orleans Sheriff.

The US House has passed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which could mean up to $15 million annually for wildlife preservation in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more…;
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Senate Governmental Affairs will meet at nine this morning to discuss two potential Congressional district maps. And the senate president and house speaker will be in court asking for more time. One map submitted by Baton Rouge Senator and Democrat Cleo Fields contains two majority-Black districts which would meet the stipulations handed down by a federal judge…:
Cut 13 (14) “right thing”
The other map to be considered is by Slidell Republican Sharon Hewitt. It’s the map that passed in the redistricting session a Federal court rejected because it only has one majority Black district. Hewitt who also chairs the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee says the June 20th court-imposed deadline is not realistic…:
Cut 14 (13) “public input”
Legislative leaders are asking to extend the deadline to June 30th.

The US House of Representatives has passed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which dedicates $1.4 billion annually to prevent wildlife extinction. Executive Director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation Rebecca Triche says the legislation will greatly help supplement funding to help preserve wildlife in Louisiana…:
Cut 4 (11) “greatest concern”
Triche says three-fourths of voters in Louisiana agree that more needs to be done to conserve land and wildlife in the state.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline did not go up once again overnight. It stands at $4.55 which is still up a nickel from the same time last week and 40 cents higher than a month ago.

RSV cases in children are on the rise for the second summer in a row. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

—

The statewide average is at $4.55 for a gallon of regular gasoline, the same price as yesterday, but Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith says don’t expect any real relief until the fourth quarter of this year…

Cut 6 (10) “…development activity.”

—

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law legislation that would make property owners more aware of their hurricane, named storm, wind, and hail deductibles. Eric Holl, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Real Reform Louisiana, says this legislation is a major step forward for policyholders and provides added protection for those facing the aftermath of a storm.

Cut 11 (12) “…in that process.”

—

State lawmakers began a special session today called to redraw a Congressional map with two Black majority districts. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder believes the Congressional district map they approved in February with one majority district is fair and constitutional, but they will begin hearings on Friday to debate other proposals…

Cut 12 (06) “…these bills”

The Legislative Black Caucus is supporting identical map proposals from Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields and New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis that create two majority-Black districts. Duplessis says a federal judge has ordered the Legislature to do this…

State lawmakers began a special session today called to redraw a Congressional map with two Black majority districts. The House and Governmental Affairs Committee could hear New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis’ Congressional map proposal with two majority-Black districts on Friday. Crowley Representative John Stefanski, who’s on that committee, doesn’t think there’s enough time to pass Duplessis’ proposal..:

CUT 14(11)      “…unattainable.”

He feels a federal appeals court could still rule in favor of the congressional map passed in February with only one Black-majority district…but Duplessis says, for now, the courts order is “draw a new map”…:

CUT 15(06)      “…right thing.”

A June 20^th deadline looms for the new map. House & Senate leaders will ask that federal judge tomorrow to push that back to at least June 30^th.

A virus that usually causes winter colds for kids is surging in Louisiana’s summer heat. Brooke Thorington looks at why…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans Police arrest two more people in the shooting early this month at a high school graduation ceremony on the Xavier University campus. A 50-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were charged Tuesday. Another suspect was arrested last week. A 15-year-old juvenile is also still at large.

A second special session on redistricting began today as Republican lawmakers push back on a court order that the Legislature must redraw a Congressional map with two majority-minority districts. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(37)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

From the state Department of Health… 1544 new cases of coronavirus statewide, with 325 person in the hospital with symptoms of the virus. Seven new deaths are also reported.

The Governor has signed a bill to make your property insurance bill clearer and more understandable. The legislation should help make property owners more aware of their hurricane, named storm, wind, and hail deductibles. Real Reform Louisiana’s Eric Holl says many who submit storm damage claims are often shocked to discover how much will have to come out of pocket…:

CUT 10(12)      “…deductible is.”

Acadia Parish deputies seek a Church Point teen for allegedly firing shots into a vehicle with six people inside. Officers say 18-year-old Destron Goodwin shot at the wrong car due to mistaken identity. About 20 rounds were fired and two persons were wounded. When captured Goodwin faces six counts of attempted murder. They ask anyone with tips on Goodwin to call Church Point Police at (337) 684-5455.