Governor Jeff Landry announces an extension to Operation Lone Star which means engineers from the Louisiana National Guard will deploy to the Texas-Mexico border on July 15th. Sean Richardson has the story.
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A federal judge has ordered Angola to quickly correct what they called “glaring deficiencies of their heat-related policies” for inmates who work on the Farm Line. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Governor Jeff Landry announces the extension of Operation Lone Star which will involve the deployment of Louisiana National Guard engineers on July 15th to the southern border. LANG spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Collins says they will support Texas with border security.
Operation Lone Star began in March when the state sent 50 Louisiana National Guard soldiers for 30 days at a time to the Texas border.
Collins says the engineers will assist in constructing barriers, roads, and other critical infrastructure to enhance border security.
Collins says this move reflects the state’s commitment to collaborating with Texas in addressing border security issues and highlights the growing scope of Operation Lone Star.
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The Landy Administration says it will cost the state 800-thousand dollars to deploy the National Guard engineers to Texas and that’s how much money is left from the initial allocation for the operation.
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Fourth of July means BBQs and fireworks but its not always great time for pets. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Communication Manager Ginger Gutner has some advice for what you can do for your pets.
Gutner says if you know your pet will be anxious because of fireworks contact your vet and discuss what you can do to help alleviate that…
Another reminder is if you have a dog that isn’t afraid of fireworks they can think it’s a toy and could get injured from getting too close. Gutner says if they are outside keep them on a leash and…
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Angola has been ordered to improve conditions for inmates who are required to work on the farm line. Federal Judge Brian Jackson told the prison to quickly correct what he called “glaring deficiencies of their heat-related policies.” Promise of Justice Initiative Legal Director Colin Reingold…
The ruling stopped short of granting a request to stop the farm line entirely, but Reingold says the state has been given a seven-day deadline to submit proposed remedies due to the inhumane conditions.
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The ruling comes after eight incarcerated men requested a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order to stop the farm line when the heat index reaches or exceeds 88 degrees. Reingold says a trial date is scheduled for late September.
Reingold says as many as 50 inmates work on the farm line at one time and the farm line is separate from other agriculture work programs at the penitentiary.
The State Department of Corrections says the work conducted on the farm line is in accordance with constitutional and industrial standards and they plan to appeal the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
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Hurricane Beryl remains a Category 4 as it barrels towards Jamaica and Central America. Newly appointed state climatologist Jay Grymes says Beryl is expected to turn towards the Gulf early next week, but tells Louisianans not to worry.
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Beryl is expected to hit the Texas-Mexico border as a tropical storm on Monday, far southwest of Louisiana. With such an active hurricane season ahead of us, Grymes says it’s better to start preparing for a storm that does hit us instead of worrying about one that won’t.
Though Louisiana shouldn’t be battered by a hurricane this time, Beryl is the earliest major hurricane ever to form and the only one in June, well ahead of peak hurricane season. Grymes says we’re not nearly out of the woods yet.