As violent crime and open lawlessness surge in New Orleans, could the Governor call in the National Guard to help maintain peace & order? The city has seen a 37-percent spike in fatal shootings in the first five months of this year. Armed robberies are up nearly 30-percent. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’d prefer not to resort to calling in troops…:

CUT 03  (08)        “…not an answer.”

Federal law forbids using the regular military to augment civilian police without a declaration of martial law…however a Governor does have discretion to use the National Guard. Edwards says Guardsmen are soldiers, not cops.

West Baton Rouge deputies arrested a Gonzales man Sunday, after he ran amok in a gas station/convenience store; stripping naked, defecating in the store and attacking customers and staff. It took several officers with tasers to bring 50-year-old Joel Pennington under control. He’s charged with obscenity, assault, resisting arrest and criminal damage to property.

An effort to pass a permitless concealed carry bill was derailed in the final days of the legislative session but the bill’s author says he’s determined it will become law in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso warns elderly residents to be aware the old “grandchild in trouble” scam is afoot once again. He says scammers will call, identify themselves as a family member in jail or badly needing money. He says, unless you’re certain it’s really them…hang up.