Speaking today at the Baton Rouge Press Club New Orleans Representative and Vice-Chair of House Governmental Affairs Royce Duplessis says the current congressional map – passed in the February Redistricting Session – does not meet certain standards required by the Voting Rights Act, because it doesn’t reflect the state’s one-third black population….:

CUT 13(08)      “…voter dilution.”

He says of the six congressional districts the state’s one-third Black residents should be represented by two of those districts, not one.

A bill that would have assured one could not be discriminated against because one did not have COVID shot has been vetoed by the Governor. Mr. Edwards says he nixed the bill because it’s (quote) “unnecessary and perpetuates a false narrative” and that it undermines public confidence in the vaccines.

State Police say two young men – ages 17 and 18 – were killed Sunday night, as they dealt with car trouble along Interstate 10 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal says the boys’ car ran out of gas & they called for help. He says they walked a few feet over to the I-10 frontage road, where they were hit by a Jeep Wrangler. Senegal says the driver of that Jeep says he couldn’t see them in glare from oncoming headlights…:

CUT 11(09)      “…headlights put out.”

After recent incidents at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana State Police and the Department of Corrections to provide personnel to those facilities to help with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says they welcome the help, and that safety both inside and out remains a priority…:

CUT 09(11)      “…have been seeing.”

Safety concerns at state juvenile facilities force Governor Edwards to utilize State Police and Correctional Officers for support. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(37)      “…David Grubb.”

Gas or gambling? Which would you choose? State Gaming Control officials say winnings at Louisiana casino were down almost 10-percent for May 2022. One easy explanation is runaway inflation and the high cost of gasoline forcing potential gamblers to stay home.

State Police say two young men – ages 17 and 18 – were killed Sunday night, as they dealt with car trouble along Interstate 10 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal says the boys’ car ran out of gas & they called for help. He says, as they were receiving aid from a relative, they walked a few feet over to the I-10 frontage road…:

CUT 10(07)      “…another vehicle.”

Senegal says the driver of the Jeep stopped and called for help. He told officers he could not see the boys in the glare from oncoming headlights. The crash is under investigation.

State Police have named their new second-in-command, after the retirement of Lt. Colonel Doug Cain. Cain was embroiled in the 2019 death of Ronald Greene while in LSP custody. Today, it was announced that Lt. Colonel Chavez Cammon will take over Cain’s role immediately. Cammon has been openly critical of State Police’s handling of the Greene investigation; comparing it to “torture and murder.”

Despite a court order to map a congressional map with two minority districts the legislature failed to deliver. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(42)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The Department of Health reports over 4-thousand new cases of COVID statewide, with 350 currently under hospital care for it. Two new COVID-related deaths are also reported.

After recent incidents at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana State Police and The Department of Corrections to provide personnel to those facilities to help with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says the staff shortages extend to service providers needed on-hand to help in the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders and that both are required for these facilities to fulfill their roles…:

CUT 08(09)      “…thing in order.”

OJJ was provided with $5 million for enhancements during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session that can be accessed immediately.

State Police say two teenage girls died Sunday in Ascension Parish, when the car they were in went off the roadway, careened off a tree then crashed into a pond. Both girls were just 16. Trooper say they are unaware if they were properly seatbelted. The crash remains under investigation.

Attention parents or grandparents of toddlers: the federal Food & Drug Administration authorizes the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines for kids under 5. Children’s Hospital-New Orleans Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Klein says many adults will be eager to get their kids the shots, but just as many will be nervous or reluctant. He says it’s up to healthcare pros to keep parents properly informed…:

CUT 15(05)      “…for their kids.”

Klein says side effects so far are mild fever and soreness at the injection sight. He says the risks to children are outweighed by the benefits.

Two Livingston Parish girls are dead after the car they were in went off the roadway and into a pond near Bayou Manchac Sunday. They’re identified as Chloe Hamilton and Caroline Smith. Both just 16 and both from Prairieville. The crash is under investigation.

Lawmakers failed to pass a congressional map with two Black majority districts despite a June 20^th court-ordered deadline.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(38)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Deputies in St. Tammany Parish arrest a Mandeville man, after his dog died from being left chained up outside, in extreme heat, with no food, water or shelter. The dog’s owner, Chris Jackson is charged with aggravated animal cruelty, which is a felony.

A second special legislative session on redistricting has broken down, with lawmakers unable to agree on a congressional district map with two majority-Black voting districts. A federal judge had given lawmakers until the end of today to deliver her that map. Now that judge will decide a new map during a hearing next week. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says even though a third of the state’s population is Black, it’s a tall order to map out a second district that’s 52 to 56% majority Black…:

CUT 06(10)      “…years ago.”

Governor Edwards issued a statement calling the legislature’s failure “disappointing.”

The governor says he’ll sign into law a new “trigger bill” to ban most abortions in Louisiana, should the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturn “Roe versus Wade.” He says this bill has exceptions for medical reasons, but hoped lawmakers would show compassion to rape or incest victims…:

CUT 09(10)      “…to term.”

Engineering students from Tulane University are among a select group competing for a chance to have their work sent into space. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 03(36)      “…David Grubb.”

Shreveport eatery “Eddie’s Restaurant” will be featured this week on Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.” Chef Robert Irvine brought in his crew to revamp, redecorate and revitalize the dining spot. You can catch the episode, titled “Legacy on the Line”, this Thursday at 7 PM.

Governor Edwards says he will likely sign a bill replacing Louisiana’s “trigger law” that will take effect if the Supreme Court overturns “Roe v. Wade.” More from Michelle Southern…:

CUT 02(28)      “…Michelle Southern.”

State Police report two teenage boys were struck by traffic and killed, on the I-10 frontage road near Jennings, in Jeff Davis Parish. Troopers say 18-year-old Kyle Vidrine and 17-year-old Brannon Adams were standing outside their broken down vehicle at the time. The driver who hit them says he couldn’t see them in headlight glare from oncoming cars. Blood toxicology samples were taken from that driver and the victims, to determine of impairment played a role in the accident.

Lawmakers failed to pass a congressional map with two Black majority districts despite a June 20^th court-ordered deadline. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes the Republican majority legislature is counting on the appeals court to approve their current map with only one Black majority district…:

CUT 04(12)      “…with them.”

Five different congressional maps were filed in the special session and two of the maps sponsored by Democrats failed to make it out of committee after hours of emotional debate. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick, has ordered attorneys to submit maps for her to consider for a June 29^th hearing.

The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5. Children’s Hospital New Orleans Chief Medical Officer Mark Kline says this is long overdue…:

CUT 14(11)      “…deaths from occurring.”

Lawmakers failed to pass a congressional map with two Black majority districts despite a June 20^th court-ordered deadline.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(38)      “…Brooke Thorington”

You may have noticed gas prices dropping a small amount. The statewide average price of regular is now at $4.54; down a penny from Thursday, but still 28-cents more than a month ago. Experts say we can expect prices like this through the summer at least.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he intends to sign into law a replacement for Louisiana’s so-called “trigger law” that bans all abortions, should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn “Roe versus Wade.” On his monthly radio program, the governor says the law passed under Governor Kathleen Blanco has no exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or any other mitigating factor. He says Senate Bill 342 does have some…:

CUT 08(14)      “…life of the mother.”

Edwards says it’s better to sign a bill with a few exceptions than to veto it and have none whatsoever, should the federal High Court’s ruling on “Roe” ever be reversed.

A murder in Natchitoches resulted in a police chase of the suspect; all the way into Rapides Parish, where the suspect crashed his vehicle. Authorities say a 24-year-old North Carolina man shot the victim, abducted his girlfriend and ran. The woman escaped the car in Alexandria, but the officers chased the man to Glenmora, where he ran off the road. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot and is currently in the hospital. He’ll be jailed once released.

Legislators have until Monday to submit a court-ordered congressional map that has two Black-majority districts instead of one that was passed by the Republican majority in February. On Thursday House Speaker Clay Schexnayder asked Federal Judge Shelly Dick for a deadline extension….:

CUT 12(09)      “…what we have.”

Committees in both chambers debated proposed maps all day Friday, but little actual progress was made. Schexnayder says the legitimacy of the map passed in February still must be decided in the federal 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals.

After an escape overnight Thursday at the Bridge City juvenile detention center near New Orleans, another incident happened Thursday night. Jefferson Parish deputies say a riot at the facility led to about 20 inmates getting out of their cells and taking over parts of the center. As many as 50 officers in full SWAT gear were brought in to re-establish order by around midnight.

Choosing a major in college can be very stressful.  UL-Monroe VP of Enrollment Management Lisa Miller says the university is making that process easier by utilizing a new tool called MyMajors, which aligns students with degree programs based on their strengths, talents, and interests. Miller says the response has been very big and the impact on students is easy to see…:

CUT 10(13)      “…much greater.”

Find out more about it at “ulm.mymajors.com”

Just in time for Father’s Day, a WalletHub.com survey ranking Louisiana dead last among states as an environment for working dads. WalletHub’s Jill Gonzales says overwork, child care costs and inability to balance work with family stand out in the data. She says our state needs to look at more parent-friendly policies…:

CUT 08(13)      “…why not Louisiana?”

The Number Two man at Louisiana State Police announces he is stepping down. Lt. Colonel Doug Cain has spent some time in the hot seat over the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene. Troopers said Greene died in a car crash, but over a year later body cam footage showed him being kicked and beaten by troopers. Cain was grilled over the sanitizing of his state-issued cellphone, which may have contained important evidence. State lawmakers looking into Greene’s death were upset with some of Cain’s refusal to answer direct question about the case. On paid leave since April, Cain announced his retirement from LSP today.

Just in time for Father’s Day, a new survey from Wallethub.com showing Louisiana dead last among states for working dads. WalletHub’s Jill Gonzalez says our state makes balancing work & life really tough for fellas…:

CUT 07(10)      “…in Louisiana.”

A state consumer protection group sends the head of the state’s biggest business lobby a reminder of unkept promises about tort reform and auto insurance rates. Over two years ago, Louisiana Association of Business & Industry president Stephen Waguespack said the reforms would lower our insurance rates or he’d “march on the Capitol with a tiki torch”. Eric Holl, with Real Reform Louisiana, sent Waguespack a tiki torch this week; to let him know his promised lower rates haven’t materialized…:

CUT 05(09)      “…that promise.”

LRN called Mr. Waguespack for a reply, but those calls are so far un-returned.

Senator John Kennedy says another $27-million in FEMA disaster aid grants has been approved for impacts of Hurricane Laura in 2020. $14-million will go to Calcasieu Parish government for storm-related costs. The rest will go to DOTD, a couple of utility companies and to several cities as reimbursal for debris removal and other emergency expenses.

State lawmakers in Baton Rouge have until Monday to submit a court-ordered congressional district map that has two Black-majority districts instead of the map with only one that was passed by the Republican majority in February. The House and Senate Governmental Affairs committees put in the hours today; considering four maps that have been filed. This is a contentious subject and is split along racial and party lines. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the work is far from over…:

CUT 14(12)      “…premature and unnecessary.”

Schexnayder and Senate President Page Cortez asked the federal judge who ordered them back to work to extend her June 20^th deadline. She refused.

Embroiled in the scandal over the 2019 death of Ronald Greene in State Police custody, the agency’s second-in-command announces he is stepping down. Lt. Colonel Doug Cain announced his retirement from LSP today.

Dads take center stage this Sunday, though a new survey shines a light on just how difficult it is for Louisiana’s working fathers. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(37)      “…David Grubb.”

The COVID pandemic is not completely over. The Department of Health reports 1966 new cases and 329 people in the hospital with virus symptoms. Four new COVID-related deaths are also reported.