A Senate-approved resolution that seeks to create a task force to study police law enforcement policies and make recommendations on how to improve receives unanimous support from a House committee. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Border patrol agents seize 2,000 counterfeit designer face masks shipped into the port of New Orleans from China and Vietnam. No information right now as to whether the masks were functional, but they were seized for bearing the counterfeit trademarks of Burberry, Supreme, Gucci, and Chanel on the front of them.

Governor Edwards signs a bill that would allow concealed carry within churches, but only if the administrator of that house of worship allows it. The bill was opposed by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and other church representatives testified against it in committee, but Edwards says each church can make their own choice…

Cut 6 (03) “…have it”

Edwards also signed legislation overriding local gun-free zone ordinances that go further than state law.

A Calhoun man is in the Ouachita Parish correctional center charged with 400 counts of child porn and 100 counts of sexual abuse of an animal.  Trooper Brent Hardy says the investigation of 40-year-old Keith Taylor began in April when the Special Victims Unit received information that Taylor in possession of, and possibly distributing, inappropriate content online.

Cut 12 (08) “…children and animals.”

The investigation was conducted with the help of multiple agencies including the FBI, the Louisiana AG’s office, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office.

Governor Edwards signs a gun bill targeting local gun restriction ordinances. The legislation was opposed by the mayors of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, as well as the Louisiana Municipal Association who objected to it because it would prohibit local governments from establishing gun-free zones in parks, playgrounds, and other public areas. Edwards doesn’t see the legislation to be controversial…

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28-year-old Cordale Richard was arrested today in the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Aliza Gabriel and 20-year-old Tanasa Francis at a large party in Raceland Sunday. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Brennan Matherne says Richard was involved in a fight at the party, and once the police arrived he allegedly began firing indiscriminately into a crowd.

Cut 14 (09) “…the scene.”

Francis and Gabriel are believed to have been uninvolved bystanders.

A United Way survey breaks down Louisiana residents’ top concerns during the pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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After about a week of rising COVID-19 case numbers many were eager to see if the trend continued today, but they’ll have to wait as the Department of House says they are reviewing all data they’ve received and will not be releasing a case count today. Governor Edwards may provide additional information on our status at his 2:30 press conference today.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law three measures from the regular session that have the support of gun rights advocates…
cut 8 (10) “…moderate side”
One of the bills says local municipalities can not prohibit concealed permit holders from bringing a gun into a public building or park.

A survey from the Louisiana Association of United Ways finds that 47-percent of residents say their child care situation changed after the stay at home order. President of the group Sarah Berthelot says for some individuals the change was so great they had to quit their job…
cut 4 (08) “…work hours”
Half of the respondents also expressed concern about child care availability in the near future.

A House committee supported a resolution today that would create a police training, screening, and De-escalation Task Force that will make recommendations to the legislature on police reform. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is the author of the resolution and he says recent research shows black men are three times more likely than white men to be killed by police intervention. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala is a retired deputy and made a statement that caused a brief uproar
Cut 10 (12) “…State Capitol.”
Bacala went on to say he supports the resolution and believes the state needs to put a stop to police brutality.

The state health department says it’s reviewing all data and will not be updating coronavirus case count today. Governor Edwards has a COVID-19 briefing at 2:30.

Governor Edwards signs three gun rights bills, one dealing with concealed carry in churches, another targeting local gun restriction ordinances, and the last addressing rights during a public emergency. Edwards says the first bill rewrites Louisiana law to specify that conceal carry is permissible in houses of worship if it is approved by that facility’s administrator.  

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That bill was opposed by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and other church representatives testified against it in committee.

A House committee approves a proposal to create a Police Training, Screening, and De-escalation Task Force. The panel will study police department policies and make recommendations on how they can be improved. Law enforcement supports the resolution and Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle took note of that…

Cut 9 (08) “…the nation”

A survey from the Louisiana Association of United Ways finds that two-thirds of Louisiana residents need help in paying everyday bills during this COVID-19 pandemic. President of the non-profit Sarah Berthelot says households with annual incomes less than $35,000 face the most setbacks and challenges.

Cut 3 (10) ”…on low income workers”  

Total new COVID case numbers have jumped pretty significantly over the past week and hospitalizations are up on average of the past four days, but Governor Edwards says despite that increase Louisiana is still nowhere close to where it was in early April according to the data and…

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Edwards did also note that recent spikes in cases for neighboring states indicate the virus will not be slowed by hot weather.

Louisiana reported 928 new coronavirus cases yesterday. The state health department said 129 of the cases are a backlog from tests taken in early April. But even without the backlog, the new single-day case count is the highest since April 10th. But Governor Edwards says there is some good news…
cut 11 (10) “….organization”

An effort to eliminate qualified immunity for police officers failed to get enough support in a House committee. Qualified immunity protects an officer from being sued in civil court in a wrongful death or excessive force case. Louisiana ACLU Advocacy Director Chris Kaiser says removing “qualified immunity” would disincentivize bad police behavior…
ut 14 (11) “…deterrence”
Lawmakers who voted against the measure say qualified immunity doesn’t prevent a police officer from facing criminal charges.

The state has made the decision to allow live music indoors, but stringent guidelines must be followed…
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LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says four parishes have reported having one school each with football players who have tested positive for COVID-19. Bonine says HIPAA rules prohibit him from identifying the schools. He expects more cases, but says to have cases in just four of 64 parishes is encouraging.

A House committee has rejected a proposal that would have stripped Louisiana police officers of their legal protection from civil lawsuits over alleged civil rights violations like excessive force or wrongful death. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan led the effort to eliminate police officers’ “qualified immunity”
Cut 13 (10) “…rights”
The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association spoke in opposition. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says if the bill became law officers would be hesitant to do their duty if they try to intervene in the middle of active criminal behavior…
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The panel sided with law enforcement on a nine to seven vote.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says employers can report workers who refuse to return to work because they prefer to keep receiving unemployment benefits. L-W-C Assistant Secretary Robert Wooley says there’s a link at la-works -dot-net to file a complaint…
cut 8 (11) “….called P-U-A”
P-U-A is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

The state has decided to allow live music indoors in Phase two of the reopening. State Fire Marshall Butch Browning says bars and clubs will be required to follow stringent guidelines in order to bring a band in and the state health department will have to approve it…
cut 5 (12) “…not be allowed”

Governor Edwards recommends boycotting businesses that do not enforce social distancing and mask recommendations. Edwards told a caller on his monthly call-in show, Ask the Governor, that the government can’t mandate mask use and social distancing, but the market can…
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Edwards made the comments in light of recent jumps in positive COVID cases.

The state has made the decision to allow live music indoors, but bars, clubs, and restaurants have to follow stringent guidelines. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning…
cut 6 (10) “…best practices”
One stipulation calls for the venue’s air conditioning system to exchange the air at a minimum of six times an hour.

Lower paying employers can report employees for refusing to return to work because unemployment benefits pay better. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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A bill has started to make its way through the legislative process that would provide employees at a grocery store, bus drivers, nurses, EMS workers and other first responders with a 250-dollar check for hazard pay. There’s bipartisan support to help out those who were required to work when the coronavirus crisis began. The measure awaits discussion on the House floor.

An effort to eliminate qualified immunity for police officers failed to get enough support in a House committee. Qualified immunity protects an officer from being sued in civil court in a wrongful death or excessive force case. Louisiana ACLU Advocacy Director Chris Kaiser says removing “qualified immunity” would disincentivize bad police behavior…
cut 14 (11) “…deterrence”
Lawmakers who voted against the measure say qualified immunity doesn’t prevent a police officer from facing criminal charges.

The state has decided to allow bars, clubs, and restaurants to have live music indoors, but there are stringent guidelines. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says business owners must apply for approval with his office and the Louisiana Health Department…
Cut 4 (12) “and bar”

Governor Edwards tells a caller on his monthly talk show that if they go to a business and find it isn’t following social distancing and mask guidelines than they should not spend money there…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise is demanding answers from five Democratic governors on why there have been so many nursing home deaths. Scalise says these states violated and contradicted Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says New Yorkers who died, did not die because they failed them.

A House committee has rejected a proposal that would have stripped Louisiana police officers of their legal protection from civil lawsuits over alleged civil rights violations like excessive force or wrongful death. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan led the effort to eliminate police officers’ “qualified immunity”
Cut 13 (10) “…rights”
The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association spoke in opposition. Legislative Liaison Shannon Dirmann says they are open to police reforms but this measure will result in frivolous lawsuits against law enforcement
cut 16 (11) “…with”
The measure failed on a nine to seven vote.

The state has made the decision to allow live music indoors, but stringent guidelines must be followed…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says employers can report employees who refuse to return to work because they rather claim unemployment benefits. Assistant Secretary Robert Wooley says it is a simple process, just go to LAworks.net and there’s a link…
Cut 7 (09) “…at this claim.”