An effort to hold former state police leader, Colonel Kevin Reeves, in contempt of the Legislature has been put on hold after an agreement is made on the viewing of his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Another person announces she will run this fall for U.S. Senate; seeking to replace John Kennedy. 42-year-old Syrita Steib, a Vacherie native who has spent years working for public policy reforms.

Police in Ponchatoula have had quite a week with arrests involving firearms. A week ago, two men were busted for pointing guns at people in a Wal-Mart parking lot. On Sunday, two men bradished guns during a fight at the city’s Community Center. Police Chief Bry Layrisson says an 18-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested, and two semi-automatic rifles were seized…:

CUT 08(12)      “…were harmed.”

Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell seeks to block Entergy from adding hurricane damage assessments from storms in 2020 and ’21. Those would total over $4-billion over several years of monthly bills. He urges fellow members to vote refusal of the charges. Campbell questions the utility company’s business practices…:

CUT 14(12)      “…his whole territory.”

Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying monthly hurricane restoration charges totaling over $4-billion, and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is crying foul. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State Police Troop E reports they’re investigating a deputy-involved shooting last night near the Winn Parish town of Dodson. There are hardly any details as yet, but we do know the incident involved a Jackson Parish deputy and it happened along U.S. Highway 167. More as it develops.

Former State Police superintendent Colonel Kevin Reeves has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon – if they remain sealed from public view – in order to avoid a contempt charge. A legislative panel investigating the death of Ronald Greene in 2019 seeks to hold Reeves in contempt for withholding journal entries as evidence. His lawyer, Lewis Unglesby, says Reeves has nothing to hide and the pages requested have nothing to do with the Greene case…:

CUT 10(10)      “…what I told you.”

Unglesby says the blame for Greene’s death should be put on Trooper Chris Hollingsworth, who died a little over a year after the incident in a single-vehicle crash.

State Treasurer John Schroder’s office says they’ve sent out over 27-thousand checks; re-uniting people with what the state calls Unclaimed Property. That can be from old payroll checks, old bank accounts, royalties, utility or rental deposits, interest payments and more. The checks sent out this week total over $4-million. To find out of you have money waiting for you, go to “LaCashClaim.org” to search by name.

A St. Tammany Parish deputy was shot in the back early this morning, and Brooke Thorington reports the suspect is just 13 years old…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Sportsmen rejoice!! A bill that would legally allow “noodling” in Louisiana has reached final passage at the capitol and is on its way to the Governor’s desk. If you DON’T know, “noodling” is the art of catching a catfish with your bare hands; often by sticking your hand in its mouth.

Multiple bills aimed at reducing criminal penalties for marijuana possession have advanced to the full Senate. One would allow expungement of a marijuana convictions sooner. Another lessens penalties for possessing paraphernalia. Shonda Broome, a medical professional who had her career negatively impacted by a positive test for marijuana during pre-employment screening, spoke on behalf of HB 774. She says that one result has followed her from job to job and that the stigma impacts more than just those with criminal convictions…:

CUT 14(12)      “…cannabis laws”

They all move to the full Senate for what could be final passage.

A Baton Rouge man is in jail for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl and recording it on his cellphone. 51-year-old Ronald Thibodeaux is behind bars. No bail has been set.

A New Orleans lawmaker tells a Senate Committee he’s received a death threat over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as official holidays. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Bossier City Police say two bodies found Tuesday morning by firefighters trying to put out an apartment fire were victims of murder. They’re identified as 35-year-old Craig Stewart and 26-year-old Christopher Dillard, both Bossier residents. BCPD says they have a suspect in custody for the crimes.

Police in Houma say a local woman drowned last night, when she tried to swim across the Intracoastal Waterway. Terrebonne Deputies and the Coast Guard searched and found the woman’s remains before midnight. No one knows why 45-year-old Roberta Mackles chose to attempt the swim.

Monroe Police responded to a massive fight between inmates at the Swanson Correctional Center for Youth last night. MPD Sgt. Mike Fendall says they and Ouachita Deputies helped get it all under control. He says no one was reported seriously hurt, but the facility was pretty badly damaged…:

CUT 11(09)      “…as well.”

Several of the inmates involved were 18 or older.

A New Orleans lawmaker says he’s received threats over his bill to purge two Louisiana state Confederate holidays. Representative Matthew Willard says authorities are investigating a voicemail, left on his office number…:

CUT 06  (07)        “…and executed.”

His bill has passed the House and a Senate committee; heading now for the Senate floor. Some feel Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday are part of Louisiana history. Willard says they honor those who fought to preserve slavery, and they need to go.

A Shreveport woman who attacked a couple with a lawnmower blade back in July 2019 has been convicted of aggravated 2^nd-degree battery. 44-year-old Juana Wilson could get up to 15 years in prison when she’s sentenced next month.

A Baton Rouge man is in jail for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl and recording it on his cellphone. 51-year-old Ronald Thibodeaux is behind bars. No bail has been set.

A St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputy was shot early this morning by a suspect who is only 13-years-old. In an interview with WWL TV, St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith says Deputy Kenneth Doby was on patrol at around 3 this morning, when he answered a call of a suspected burglary. He spied a suspect, they struggled and he was shot in the back. He says Doby was treated at a Covington hospital…:

CUT 04(11)      “…for us.”

The suspect, who is only 13, is now in custody.

Marijuana law reform bills move forward through the legislature. One bill, by Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover, would decriminalize possessing weed-related paraphernalia (like a pipe); making that penalty similar to one passed last year for being caught with a tiny amount of cannabis…:

CUT 13(10)      “…$50 fine or less.”

The full Senate will debate the bills next.

A St. Tammany Parish Sheriff was shot in the back early this morning and the suspect is 13 years old. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The southern half of the state including the Alexandria area is under a flash flood watch through tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service says rainfall of one to four inches is likely and local amounts could exceed five inches. A severe thunderstorm watch for portions of southeast Louisiana is in effect until five o’ clock today.

A House backed measure that would remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as official state holidays is moving closer to final legislative passage. New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says even though the days are not observed, they should not be recognized because it represents a dark time in the nation’s history…
cut 8 (07) “….that around”
Willard’s bill heads to the Senate floor. He told a Senate Committee he’s received a death threat for authoring the bill.

Multiple bills aimed at reducing criminal penalties for marijuana possession have advanced to the full Senate. One of the bills by Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover would allow those previously convicted of possession to expunge their records six months after conviction, instead of five years as currently written.
Cut 12 (12) “…at this point.”
Glover also has a bill that would decriminalize the possession of marijuana-related paraphernalia.

With hurricane season set to officially begin in a little over a week, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration – aka NOAA – predicts another “active” season, with from 16-to-21 named storms. They expect 6-to-10 of those to be major hurricanes. Here’s NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad…:

CUT 03  (11)        “…111 miles per hour.”

FEMA officials strongly urge us all to start making storm preparations as soon as possible.

A bill that would ban discriminating against someone because they wear a popular or ethnic hairstyle passes the full House and moves to the Senate. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says this issue impacts not only Black men and women in the state, but cuts across all demographics in some way…:

CUT 14(12)      “…of our citizens.”

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s legislation to ban handheld cellphone use moves closer to becoming law.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The state moves closer to officially purging Confederate themed holidays from state law. It’s been many years since Confederate Memorial Day or Robert E. Lee’s Birthday were observed, but they ARE still on the books. A bill to do that has passed the full House and moves over to the Senate. Little opposition is expected.

After several attempts, a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of someone’s hair has advanced from the House to the Senate. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(36)      “…David Grubb.”

National weather forecasters predict an “active” hurricane season again this year, and for the 7^th year in a row. Experts say as many as 21 named storms could develop, with several strong storms expected.

A House-passed bill that would prohibit using a hand-held cellphone while driving makes it out of a Senate committee today. Bill author and Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the fines have been amended down to a reasonable $50-to-$100, and one will not be arrested for a violation; only ticketed. He says other concerns it could lead to racially profiling motorists have also been addressed…:

CUT 08(11)      “…use of this bill.”

Under the bill, if your car doesn’t have Bluetooth technology, you CAN use headphones plugged into your phone; so long as you’re not holding your phone while driving. The full Senate takes it up next, and it has but two weeks to reach final passage.

A Franklin parish man is arrested for running from a traffic stop, then bailing out of his moving pickup…with his 7-year-old daughter still inside. Deputies say 38-year-old Jonathan Brooks tried to escape on foot. He was apprehended later in Richland Parish. The little girl was not hurt.

After years of presenting legislation to ban handheld cellphone use, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill is finally closer to becoming law.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Firefighters in Bossier City say two people were found dead inside an apartment home, after they’d gotten a fire under control. An investigation is now underway to determine if they died in the fire, or because of something else.

NOAA, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, predicts another “active” hurricane season this year, with possibly up to 21 named storms & several big hurricanes. The hurricane season begins next week, and FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says we should all get ready now…:

CUT 04(13)      “…nine states.”

A House Bill known as the CROWN Act, is on its way to the Senate, after winning overwhelming House votes. New Orleans Representative Candice Newell’s bill prohibits discrimination against a person because of how they wear their hair. She says that she hopes people in Louisiana are finally becoming aware of an issue that has been on the national radar for a while…:

CUT 13(12)      “…has been introduced.”

Studies show that Black people – and Black women in particular – with afros, braids, or twists are seen as less professional which can lead to bias.

A new report from the state’s Legislative auditor shows a huge increase in complaints made against property insurance carriers in the state. Chris Magee is a data analyst with the Legislative Auditor’s Office. He says annual consumer complaints to state authorities about their insurance company used to number around 450. After the hurricanes of 2020 and ’21 that number went to over 52-hundred…:

CUT 11(11)      “…handling the claim”

A handful of companies were overwhelmed by incoming claims and just closed up shop; leaving the state to help make the homeowners property whole again.

Holy Mackerel, the statewide average price of gas is now at $4.24-a-gallon! Louisiana AAA fuel expert Don Redman says – at the risk of repeating himself – get used to this…at least for a few months…:

CUT 14(08)      “…for the summer.”

Two people are dead after two boats collided on the False River in Pointe Coupee Parish on Friday night. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says 31-year-old Shea Mouton’s body was recovered Friday night, and they searched most of the weekend for Kenneth St. Romain…:

CUT 03(10)      “…two injuries.”

A Good Samaritan pulled the two injured boaters from the water.

Two Iberia Parish men who were trying to move a house without a permit are under arrest for hitting numerous power lines along the way; causing a blackout that affected hundreds of homes and businesses. Both are being held pending bonds of over $100-k.

The Department of Health reports over 1500 new cases of COVID-19, with 144 people in the hospital with the virus. Five new COVID-related deaths are reported as well.