The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry is happy with the bills passed in the regular session to establish Education Savings Accounts. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says the state ranks 48th in education and less than half of our students can read at grade level, and a solution is the ESA’s…:
Cut 4 (13) “…or other services.”

Triple-A says the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is up another two cents today to $4.52. Record high gas prices are impacting almost everything, including food banks which are feeling extra pressure to serve the state’s neediest citizens. Second harvest spokeswoman Natasha Curley…
cut 9 (08) “…..transportations”
New details have emerged from early Wednesday morning’s gunfight that took the lives of three teenagers in Bastrop. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Severe weather is expected to impact most of the state today. Strong thunderstorms have already developed in southeastern Union and Ouachita Parishes this morning. The severe weather threat exists for central and south Louisiana later today.

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 recent excessive force arrests, including one that ended in the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene in 2019. 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”

A 5th U-S Circuit Court of appeals panel has stayed an order made by a Baton Rouge federal judge that called for state lawmakers to redraw a Congressional district map. It’s the ruling Republican lawmakers were expecting and there’s a greater chance that a special session called by the governor to redraw the map will not happen next week.

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry says they’re mostly happy with what the legislature has sent to the Governor’s desk this year…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Inflation has put added pressure on the state’s food banks and Second Harvest spokeswoman Natasha Curley says in the summer months there’s an added stress for food banks as kids who normally receive free, or reduced-cost meals are no longer in school,
Cut 8 (08) “…more kids.”
If you need food assistance, you can call 2-1-1 to direct you to the closest food bank.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he welcomes the U-S Department of Justice’s civil rights investigation into the patterns and practices of State Police. The probe will assess LSP’s use of excessive force and whether it engages in racially discriminatory policing. State Police Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis offers his full cooperation too. Kristen Clark is the U-S Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division…
cut 13 (12) “…expeditiously”

Meanwhile, the city of Bastrop continues to try and comprehend a triple homicide that took place early Wednesday morning. Three teenage males were killed…
cut 12 (10) “…..and outrage”
Morehouse Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeremy Mardis says three people have been arrested in connection with the gunfight that resulted in the three fatalities.

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. 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 Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says there were several big legislative wins in the just-completed legislative session, including the creation of Education Savings Accounts that expand education options for children. But LABI President Stephen Waguespack regrets that one bill they deemed critical failed to pass…
cut 6 (11) “…..at the ballot”

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.

The U.S. Justice Department formally announces its investigation of the Louisiana State Police over numerous roadside beatings in recent years – mostly of Black men. Ronald Greene died during such an encounter with troopers. DOJ Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke says they are asking for the public to share what they know about these type incidents…:

CUT 12(08)      “…the department.”

She says they have also received full cooperation from the LSP and Governor John Bel Edwards.

The legislative session that ended Monday was good to higher education. State Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says a 12-percent funding increase will help to do a lot. She says there’s also million for a financial aid program for adult learners…:

CUT 04(09)      “…real difference.”

That program is named for former Governor Mike Foster.

A recent AAA survey done in Florida shows a large number of respondents said the cost of gas would deter them from evacuating for a hurricane. Here in Louisiana, gas is at $4.50 a gallon and climbing. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says evacuating will cost an average family of four about $1000, and you need to do whatever is necessary to be prepared for that…:

CUT 09(11)      “….to evacuate.”

Redman says gas prices will get worse before they get better.

Congratulations to Lake Charles Chef Amanda Cusey, who won the 15^th annual Louisiana Seafood Cookoff this week in Lafayette. She’s Top Chef at Villa Harlequin in L.C. and says she entered just to have some fun…:

CUT 13(09)      “…number one.”

He winning dish was a pan-seared red drum over tomato polenta with crawfish cream sauce.

Question: if a hurricane is approaching and you’re advised to evacuate…will you let the high cost of gasoline deter you? A large number of respondents to a AAA poll in Florida said “yes”, they’d consider hunkering at home to save the cash. Here in Louisiana GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says the state is taking those concerns into consideration as it puts its systems for this hurricane season into place…:

CUT 06(12)      “…in their planning.”

The statewide average for regular gas hit $4.50 this morning. As you know the price often spikes even higher when a storm approaches.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a local man they say broke into a business and attempted to rape the two guard dogs there. Security video captured disturbing images of 28-year-old Rage Hewitt’s assault on the animals. He was arrested Wednesday for aggravated cruelty to animals, attempted sexual abuse of an animal and unauthorized entry.

The legislative session that ended Monday produced a banner year for higher education funding. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation of Louisiana State Police, after several roadside beating incidents over the past few years have come to light; many of those Black men. It’s the first federal investigation of a law enforcement agency in over twenty years.

The U.S. Department of Justice announces a pattern or practice investigation of State Police after reports of civil rights violations including the beatings of Black men. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(38)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Meanwhile, Union Parish D.A. John Belton, who is prosecuting the Ronald Greene case locally, has announced he will run for Louisiana Attorney General in 2023. Current AG Jeff Landry is rumored to be planning to ruin for governor.

Troubling news out of Florida, as a recent survey of residents there indicates a good many would NOT evacuate for a hurricane, because of skyrocketing fuel costs. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says gasoline assistance for emergencies IS available here, but you’ll need to register to get that help sooner rather than later…:

CUT 07(10)      “…to these factors.”

The statewide average price of regular gas today is $4.50-a-gallon.

The legislature was very good to Higher Education this year; increasing funding by about 12-percent overall. That will include decent faculty pay raises. Higher Ed Commissioner Dr. Kim Hunter Reed says that will help the state keep its best professors…:

CUT 03(10)      “…grateful for this.”