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.

A consumer advocacy group once again observes an anniversary by sending a business lobby a tiki torch. What’s that about? Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Deputies in Lafourche Parish arrest a suspected heroin dealer, after one of his customers dies from a drug overdose. 39-year-old Christopher Seely, of Bayou Blue, reportedly admitted selling the man the heroin. He’s charged – for now – with narcotics distribution.

More trouble at the Bridge City Center for Youth, a juvenile detention facility near New Orleans. Five young men escaped overnight Thursday. Four have been captured. Last night, a riot broke out as about 20 inmates got out of their cells and seized control of parts of the place. SWAT teams got everything under control within a few hours. This is the fourth big incident there this year.

This Father’s Day you may want to forget about getting Dad a tie or a wallet and instead maybe hand him a copy of the classifieds. A new survey by Wallethub.com says that Louisiana is the worst state in the country for working dads. Communications director Jill Gonzalez says the rankings speak for themselves…:

CUT 06(14)      “…struggled the most.”

All the states at the bottom of the rankings are in the Deep South. Read into that what you will.

Legislators have until Monday to submit a court-ordered congressional map that has two Black-majority districts instead of one that was pushed through by the Republican majority in February. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says a request for more time was denied by the federal judge that ordered the new district map. He says there are several maps that contain the two districts requested…:

CUT 13(12)      “…compare them.”

The speaker says this is only the beginning of the judicial process, because the map that passed in February has yet to be ruled on in the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals.

If you’re headed for the fishing hole this weekend, don’t be surprised to find the sight and stench of dead fish greeting you. State Wildlife & Fisheries says recent sweltering temperatures, combined with heavy thundershowers, has created states of hypoxia (or lack of oxygen) in waterways; leading to big fish kills.

A consumer advocacy group is reminding the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry’s leader that promises he made of lower auto insurance thanks to tort reforms passed in 2020 have NOT come true. Eric Holl, with Real Reform Louisiana says rates have, instead, increased…substantially..:

CUT 04(12)      “…for them.”

Our calls to LABI’s Stephen Waguespack for comment have not been returned.

St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s deputies say a 29-year-old firefighter, who was suffering from a mental health crisis, shot a Mandeville man, then turned his gun on himself. Alec Mulvihill was pronounced dead at the scene. The man he shot is alive, but his condition is unknown. Also unknown is his relationship with Mulvihill. The matter is under investigation.

In an effort to hold the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry accountable for a promise he made two years ago, Eric Holl with Real Reform Louisiana sent Stephen Waguespack another tiki torch. Holl says in a radio interview that Waguespack said tort reform would lower auto insurance rates…:

CUT 03(12)      “…gonna go down.”

Holl says since House Bill 57 passed two years ago, auto insurance rates have actually increased. LRN tried to reach Waguespack, but so far…no reply.

Police in Lafayette warn residents that – once again – someone is calling home, SAYING they’re with Lafayette Police and soliciting donations for…whatever; missed court dates, arrest warrants, the benevolent fund…whatever. Residents report these callers can often get pretty aggressive and adamant about it too. LPD says they do NOT make such calls and if you get one, DON’T give them anything. Just hang up the phone.

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…:

CUT 09(12)      “…versions of themselves.”

Incoming students take the MyMajors online assessment during their orientation and before exploring UL-M’s degree programs during breakout sessions. Miller says the response so far is great.

After basically wasting a whole day bickering over congressional district maps, the Senate Governmental affairs Committee will take another crack at passing one out this afternoon. A House counterpart committee is also working on bills…with similar discord. Lawmakers have until Monday afternoon to get a district map, with two majority-Black congressional districts, passed and submitted.