Senator Bill Cassidy and a bipartisan group of senators agree on a bill they say will curb the threat of school violence and preserve Second Amendment rights. Cassidy says because a majority of school shootings are committed by males ages 18 to 21, the bill allows for a more thorough background check because juvenile records are expunged.

Cut 3 (12) “…in the past.”

It appears a special session to redraw a Congressional District map will begin on Wednesday. Yesterday, the 5th U-S Circuit Court of Appeals ruled lawmakers must follow a lower court’s order and redraw a U-S House map that has two Black majority districts by June 20th. Crowley Republican Representative John Stefanski says legislators have a difficult task in front of them

Cut 9 (05) “…nearly impossible”

Stefanski says Republican legislative leaders are meeting today to discuss their next steps.

Will the cost of gas keep more Americans from hitting the road this summer? David Grubb has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

State Police have arrested 64-year-old Peter Doland of Lake Arthur for felony hit and run and careless operation after the June 6^th death of Jerry Hughes of Welsh in Jefferson Davis Parish. The victim was riding a bicycle on LA 1126 and struck from behind and pronounced dead on the scene.

Now that the legislature has adjourned, more are voicing their desire to run for office in Louisiana’s 2023 statewide elections. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

State Senator Louie Bernard announces he will not seek re-election. The Natchitoches Republican says at 71 it’s time to retire when his term ends next year. Bernard will have served 44 years in office which includes police jury, clerk of court for Natchitoches Parish and four as a senator.

Summer is here, the kids are out of school, and millions of people will be traveling for vacation. Triple-A spokesman Don Redman says record fuel prices are a major concern, but so far it doesn’t look like people are deciding to stay home.

Cut 7 (11) “…start drawing back.”

In Louisiana today the average price for a gallon of regular gas is $4.55.

Record high inflation is causing more people to surrender or even abandon their pets because they can no longer afford to care for them. Jeff Dorson with the Louisiana Humane Society says in the past out-of-state shelters have helped reduce the burden but with gas prices, they can’t afford to animal transports.

Cut  11 (10)  “…of many.” 

Dorson says the state’s low spay and neuter rate also contributes to overcrowding.

After the 5^th U.S. Circuit court of Appeals blocked a lower federal court’s order for lawmakers to redraw its submitted Congressional district map, Governor John Bel Edwards releases a statement saying it’s too early to cancel a special session for that purpose. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski says if the governor does not rescind the call for a special session, lawmakers could convene on Wednesday and adjourn minutes later

Cut 10 (06) ” ..first day.” 

A federal judge ruled the map was not legal because it did not contain two majority-minority congressional districts, however, that ruling has been appealed.

The US Coast Guard suspended their search Friday for a Baton Rouge man who went missing while boating on the Mississippi River. He’s been identified as 54-year-old Howard Brown. Brown was last seen not wearing a life jacket on the Lower Mississippi near mile marker 232.

A Lafayette man has been arrested for the impersonation of a police officer, among other charges. Senior Corporal Matthew Benoit of the Lafayette Police says 57-year-old Brad Schexnayder was driving recklessly before he suddenly came to a stop in front of an 18-wheeler and stepped out of his vehicle…

Cut 6  (12) “…fled the scene.” 

After leaving the scene, Schexnayder headed to work where he is employed by a private security company and where he got his uniform.

It’s the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Free Fishing Weekend. LDWF Biologist Danica Williams says it’s the one weekend where a fishing license is not required. She says the annual event is ideal for residents who have yet to enjoy one of the state’s favorite pastimes.

Cut 3 (07) “…in Louisiana.”

The 5th U-S Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked an order from a federal judge that called for state lawmakers to redraw a Congressional district map with two majority-minority districts. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski played a major role in drawing the Congressional district map and is pleased with the appellate court’s action

Cut 9 (10) “…exercised”

The city of Bastrop continues to try and comprehend a triple homicide that took place Wednesday. Morehouse Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeremy Mardis says three male teens were killed and a fourth teen who escaped described the horrible sequence to law enforcement…

Cut  11 (11)  “…ambush style.” 

The U-S Justice Department has announced it will look into the patterns and practices of the Louisiana State Police as the law enforcement agency has been the subject of criticism for excessive force arrests, U.S. Attorney Ronald Gathe for the Middle District of Louisiana says the civil rights investigation is imperative to restore public confidence in law enforcement…

Cut 14 (08)  “…and police.”
It’s the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Free Fishing Weekend. LDWF Biologist Danica Williams says it’s the one weekend where a fishing license is not required. She says the annual event is ideal for residents who have yet to enjoy one of the state’s favorite pastimes.

Cut 3 (08) “…in Louisiana.”

Even though a license is not required to fish in Louisiana this Saturday and Sunday, fishing regulations remain in effect

More details are now available regarding the triple homicide in Bastrop that took the lives of three teens Wednesday night. After receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls about shots fired, Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s deputies mobilized. Chief Deputy Jeremy Mardis says a retired reserve deputy was the first to reach the scene.

Cut 10 (12) “…laying in the street.”

Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the third died from his injuries at Morehouse General Hospital.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he and Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col Lamar Davis will cooperate with the Department of Justice’s civil investigation of state police. Kristen Clarke, US Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division says such cooperation will assist in their thorough investigation.

Cut 15 (06)  “…timely manner.”

Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI) CEO Stephen Waguespack says the legislature made good use of billions in federal dollars to address road and bridge needs in the most recent session. He says there’s always a temptation for lawmakers to use big windfalls of one-time money on recurring expenditures…:

Cut 5 (09) “…unemployment trust funds.”

LBI also applauds the legislature’s investments in workforce development.

As the country continues to face record inflation, food banks continue to meet unprecedented demand. Natasha Curley with Second Harvest in Louisiana says demand has been nonstop since COVID, and with three devastating hurricanes and now the economy, demand has only increased.

Cut 7 (07) “…also helps.”
Curley says there are many individuals who continue to donate as well.

The Justice Department formally announces its civil investigation of the Louisiana State Police. Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division says they will focus on two main issues.

Cut 10 (18) ” …of color.” 

The civil investigation is separate from the criminal investigation surrounding the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene.

Higher education will see a record increase in funding for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The money contained in the budget for universities and colleges contains a pay raise for faculty and there are also five million dollars for title nine and power-based violence training programs. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed.
cut 5 (10) “….work”

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $4.50 for the first time and Triple-A’s Don Redman says there’s no relief in sight, in fact, it may get worse…

cut 8 (12) “….the fall”

Lake Charles chef Amanda Cusey is this year’s winner of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-off which took place this week in Lafayette. Cusey cooked a pan-seared red drum over tomato polenta with crawfish cream sauce. The Arizona native makes Italian dishes at Villa Harlequin in Lake Charles…
cut 14 (09) “….in Ireland”
Cusey will represent Louisiana in the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans in August.

Higher education in Louisiana is receiving a 12-percent increase in state funding, the largest ever state funding increase for higher ed. Nearly 32-million dollars will be used to give the largest state-funded faculty pay increase since 2007. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the pay raise will help the state keep its best professors

Cut 3 (10) “…for this.”

A bill that’s made its way to the governor’s desk will allow trucks to pull two 20-foot containers to and from shipping ports. Now they still have to be under the state’s 37-thousand pounds per axle limit. But Norco Senator Gary Smith hopes his legislation can help with supply chain issues…

Cut 6 (12)  “…it needs to go.”
The state transportation department will issue the annual permits and the new tandem load permit can only be used on designated roadways.

The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. Senator Bill Cassidy says this is an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible and current laws regarding social security would greatly reduce monthly benefits for those collecting benefits.

Cut 14 (10)  “…an option.”

Cassidy met with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen who says she’s willing to meet with Republican lawmakers to address the issue.

The FDA advisory committee is recommending that the FDA give full approval to Novavax, which is another COVID vaccine. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says it’s best to have as many different vaccines as possible that use different technologies to combat a virus that he says is here to stay.

Cut 9 (10)  “…by it.”

Due to the special legislative session to redraw the Congressional district map that was rejected by a federal judge the House Special Committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene hearing that was scheduled for the 16^th will be rescheduled. Governor John Bel Edwards was on the agenda to testify before the committee but due to the special session that will begin on the 15^th House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has postponed the hearing.

The legislature approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits because there’s a great need for coders. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says unless Louisiana starts making some aggressive changes, it might be impossible to develop enough qualified candidates to meet demand.

Cut  11 (12)  “…next five years.” 

Big rigs pulling tandem trailers will be seen again on Louisiana roadways as a result of legislation by Norco Senator Gary Smith. DOTD will issue the permits, which will only be allowed for travel on designated highways to a from shipping ports. And Smith says the bill has a “sunset” of four years; meaning it has to be revisited down the road…:

Cut 5 (12) “…the trucking out there.”

The FDA advisory committee is recommending that the FDA give full approval to Novavax which is another COVID vaccine. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says the vaccine consists of two shots that deliver a small amount of the COVID spike protein so your immune system will respond and build antibodies.

Cut 8 (07)  “…and purified.”

Novavax is like more traditional vaccines and does not use RNA technology

Republican lawmakers are confident the Congressional District map they approved in February is compliant with federal and state laws, despite a federal judge ordering the Legislature to redraw the map because it does not have two majority-Black congressional districts. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 6  (10) “…about that” 

Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw a Congressional district map.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills is showing results. Cassidy says if you do receive a higher bill for services contact the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-985-3095…

Cut 13 (07) “…two-five-nine 53-hundred”

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill to ban hand-held cellphone use while driving was defeated once again but he plans to remain resilient. He says there’s enough evidence from other states that have similar laws and in addition to preventing accidents, it might decrease car insurance rates also.

Cut 11 (12)  “…much-needed legislation.” 

In addition to normal camp activities, nine-to-12-year old’s who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says it’s a growing concern that can’t be ignored.

Cut 3 (11) “…talk about.”

Resource officers are also teaching campers the proper way to respond to any threat of violence, not just an active shooter.

In addition to normal camp activities, children who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says two school resource officers who already have a working relationship with students are presenting the program to children ages 9 to 12, and they are able to…

Cut 4  (09) “…more of a game.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has some positive news to report. Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills is showing results.

Cut 12 (11) “…is working.”  

If you do receive a surprise bill, Cassidy says to contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called for a special session to begin on June 15th to redraw a Congressional district map, but a Republican legislator says it may not happen. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”