Louisiana has received more than $100 million in federal housing assistance to assist over 20-thousand residents with past rent dating back as far as April 2020. Gina Campo, Deputy Executive Director with the Office of Community Development says the program will assist those who are in danger of being evicted.

Cut 3 (10) “…guidelines.”

The website is laCOVIDhousing.com

Health officials say Louisiana is experiencing its sixth surge of COVID. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says this surge differs from previous ones because we aren’t seeing an increase in hospitalizations and deaths.

Cut 9 (08)  “…blip right now.”

Kanter says of those hospitalized with COVID, 63 percent are not fully vaccinated, and 87 percent have not been vaccinated nor boosted.

New Orleans Representative Candace Newell’s CROWN Act is officially law. The law prohibits intentional discrimination based on hairstyles. Research shows 80 percent of Black women have endured some type of discrimination based on their hair in the workplace. Newell says the law sends a strong message.

Cut 10 (12) “…your character.”

Law enforcement officials say we are in the midst of the 100 Deadliest Days of summer. Trooper Christian Reed says from Memorial Day to Labor Day there’s a 15 percent increase in traffic fatalities among drivers ages 16 to 19. Reed says no law enforcement officer ever wants to tell a parent about the death of their child.

Cut 15 (11)  “…tragic happens.”

Edit

Governor Edwards signs a new abortion “trigger law” that will take effect should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe vs Wade. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

The governor also signed the bill that removes Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Days from the list of state holidays. He also signed a measure overhauling the regulation of medical marijuana in the state, it switches regulation from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to the Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the Louisiana chapter are recommending COVID vaccines for children ages 6 months and older. President of the state chapter Dr. Rachel Chatters says parents should speak with their pediatricians about their child’s health and not assume rumors against vaccines are true.

Cut 5  (10) “…unfounded claims.”

As temperatures continue to soar, people aren’t the only ones who need to be concerned about staying out of the heat. Pets are particularly vulnerable and Jeff Dorson of the Louisiana Human Society has some tips on how to keep our furry friends safe.

Cut 6  (11) “…that’s their name.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health and the Academy of Pediatrics are recommending children ages 6 months to five years also be vaccinated against COVID. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Edwards signs a new abortion “trigger law” that will take effect should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe vs Wade. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

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Vaccine providers in Louisiana are prepping to schedule appointments for children ages six months and older who are now eligible for the COVID vaccines after the FDA gave emergency use authorization last week. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says he can’t overstate the importance of having children vaccinated against COVID.

Cut 3 (12) “…age of five.”

Since March 2020, 21 children have died as a result of COVID.

Kanter says 175 providers in the state have ordered 26- thousand COVID vaccine doses for children.

In Louisiana, there are 281 thousand children ages six months to five years and Kanter says 200 thousand of those children are covered by Medicaid. For this age group, he says the Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series and the Pfizer vaccine consists of three doses.

Cut 4  (07) “…the other.”

The Louisiana Department of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the Louisiana chapter are recommending COVID vaccines for children including those under the age of five. President of the state chapter Dr. Rachel Chatters says parents should speak with their pediatricians about their child’s health and not assume rumors against vaccines are true.

Cut 5  (10) “…unfounded claims.”

Parents are encouraged to contact their pediatrician for a COVID vaccine or visit the Louisiana Department of Health’s website for a nearby provider.

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As temperatures continue to soar, people aren’t the only ones who need to be concerned about staying out of the heat. Pets are particularly vulnerable and Jeff Dorson of the Louisiana Human Society has some tips on how to keep our furry friends safe.

Cut 6  (11) “…that’s their name.” 

One mistake by a pet owner can be costly. Whether it’s by leaving a pet unattended in a parked car on a hot day, failing to keep their pets hydrated, or missing the signs of a pet in distress, Dorson says it only takes a few moments for a tragedy to occur.

Cut 7 (10) “…in the heat.” 

Dorson also says there are real consequences for neglecting pets. This past weekend, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff deputies arrested a Mandeville man for allegedly leaving his dog tethered in his yard without food water, or shelter while the heat index read 114 degrees. The owner was charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty.

Cut 8 (11) “…be mindful please.” 

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces policyholders with Lighthouse Excalibur, Maison and Southern Fidelity can be insured by Louisiana Citizens for 60 days after they are cancelled by their current insurance provider. Donelon says failed insurers Lighthouse Excalibur and Maison will cancel its Louisiana policies on June 30th, but these policyholders will have coverage through July and August

Cut 9 (08) “…hurricane season”

Louisiana Citizens can also provide coverage for 60 days for Southern Fidelity policyholders who see their current coverage canceled on July 15th. He says this change was made to provide more time for Louisiana insurance agents to help policyholders find coveage

Cut 10 (11) ” …July 15th.” 

Donelon also announced Lighthouse policies were set to cancel on Wednesday, but the company will now provide coverage until June 30th. Lighthouse Excalibur has about 30-thousand policies in Louisiana and Maison and Southern Fidelity have thousands more. He says it will not be easy for these canceled policyholders to find insurance through the private market and they’ll likely have to rely on Louisiana Citizens for the time being

Cut 11 (09)  “..present time” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a new “trigger law” that would outlaw abortions in Louisiana should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn “Roe vs Wade”. The legislation does not criminally punish pregnant women, but doctors or others who perform abortion could be sentenced for up to 10 years. Louisiana Right to Life executive director Ben Clapper…

Cut 12 (14) “…abortions in Louisiana.”  

Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson’s SB 342 – now signed by the governor -does not contain exception for rape and incest, but Clapper says there are exceptions for medical causes,  like ectopic pregnancies, stillbirth diagnoses and to protect the health of the mother.…:

Cut 13 (12) “…through abortion.”

Clapper says Louisiana Right to Life is pleased with the new “trigger law” overall…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…more accountable.” 

In a written statement, the Governor says he IS pro-life, but would have preferred the bill had exceptions for cases of rape or incest. He says vetoing the bill would not have accomplished that end

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Cut 15 (12) “…unnecessary.” 

Cut  16 (08)  “…their businesses“

The Louisiana Department of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the Louisiana chapter are recommending COVID vaccines for children ages 6 months and older. President of the state chapter Dr. Rachel Chatters says parents should speak with their pediatricians about their child’s health and not assume rumors against vaccines are true.

Cut 5  (10) “…unfounded claims.”

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed bills to create so-called Education Savings Accounts. The bills would allow students who have special educational needs or are behind on reading skills to receive 54-hundred dollars in annual state aid to attend a private school or another education option. Daniel Erspamer (ER-spay-mer), with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy calls the vetoes a disappointment…:

Cut 10 (13) “…be serving them.”
It’s the first day of summer and temperatures will feel like it as temps will get into the mid to upper 90s with heat indices well above 100-degrees… State Climatologist Barry Keim

cut 24 (13) “….even dangerous”

As temperatures continue to soar, people aren’t the only ones who need to be concerned about staying out of the heat. Pets are particularly vulnerable and Jeff Dorson of the Louisiana Human Society has some tips on how to keep our furry friends safe.

Cut 6  (11) “…that’s their name.” 

Whether it’s by leaving a pet unattended in a parked car on a hot day, failing to keep their pets hydrated, or missing the signs of a pet in distress, Dorson says it only takes a few moments for a tragedy to occur.

The Health Department and the Academy of Pediatrics are recommending that children ages six month up to five year also be vaccinated against COVID. In Louisiana, there are 281-thousand children ages six months to five years and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series and the Pfizer vaccine consists of three doses.

Cut 4  (07) “…the other.”

Call your pediatrician for an appointment of visit LDH’s website for a provider near you.

Though the temperatures may have indicated otherwise, today is the first official day of summer. State climatologist Barry Keim says get used to the sweltering temperatures because they aren’t going anywhere.
Cut 4 (10) “…this past week.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed bills to create so-called Education Savings Accounts. Daniel Erspamer (pronounced: ER-spay-mer), with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy says because Louisiana is among the worst states in the U.S. for education, and literacy among kids is a particular problem, the Governor’s veto is a sad development, but he doesn’t see this as merely partisan politics…:

Cut 12 (15) “…kids…need…help.” 

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.51. These record high gas prices have altered summer vacation plans for some. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the Staycation promotion that worked so well during the pandemic…

cut 8 (07) “….with that”

The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says despite his efforts with a map that had two Black districts, in the end, the legislature simply had no desire to pass a new map.

Cut 3 (10) “…districts.”

Chair of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the legislature did make a concerted effort, but in the end, she says the votes weren’t there.

Cut 4  (10) “…to support.”

Judge Shelly Dick set a court date of June 29^th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8^th court date set.

After recent incidents at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana State Police and The Department of Corrections to provide personnel to those facilities to help with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says the staff shortages extend to service providers needed on-hand to help in the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders and that both are required for these facilities to fulfill their roles…:

Cut 8 (08) “…things in order.” 

OJJ was provided with $5 million for enhancements during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session that can be accessed immediately.

State Police say two teenage girls died Sunday in Ascension Parish, when the car they were in went off the roadway, struck a tree then crashed into a pond. Both girls were just 16. Troopers say they are unaware if seats played a role in the incident. The crash remains under investigation.

Despite a court order to map a congressional map with two minority districts the legislature failed to deliver. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Safety concerns at state juvenile facilities force Governor Edwards to utilize State Police and Correctional Officers for support. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

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The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says despite his efforts with a map that had two Black districts, in the end, the legislature simply had no desire to pass a new map.

Cut 3 (09) “…districts.”

Chair of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the legislature did make a concerted effort, but in the end, she says the votes weren’t there.

Cut 4  (10) “…to support.”

Hewitt presented a map for consideration in the special session, but it only contained one Black majority district. Fields says Republicans weren’t willing to pass any map except the one that passed in the original redistricting session.

Cut 5  (11) “…sending to the committee.”

Even though the session adjourned on the fourth legislative day Hewitt says Judge Shelly Dick’s order that only allowed them six days to pass a new map wasn’t realistic.

Cut 6  (09) “…to do so.” 

Judge Dick set a court date of June 29^th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8^th court date set. Attorney General Jeff Landry is petitioning the State Supreme Court to rule on the matter.

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After recent incidents at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana State Police and The Department of Corrections to provide personnel to those facilities to help with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice Spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says they welcome the governor’s assistance…

Cut 7 (11) “…of the shift.” 

Gordon says the staffing shortage hasn’t been limited to guards but extends to service providers needed on-hand to help with the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders and that both are required for these facilities to fulfill their roles.

Cut 8 (08) “…things in order.” 

OJJ was provided with $5 million for enhancements during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session that can be accessed immediately. Gordon says the public can be assured there has not been any significant increase in incidents at the four state-operated secure care facilities and safety both inside and out remains a priority.

Cut 9 (11) “…have been seeing.”

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State Police say two young men – ages 17 and 18 – were killed Sunday night, as they dealt with car trouble along Interstate 10 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal says the boys’ car ran out of gas & they called for help. He says they walked a few feet over to the I-10 frontage road…:

Cut 10 (07) ” …another vehicle.” 

Trooper Senegal says the driver of the Jeep Wrangler that struck them stopped and called for help. He told officers he could not see the boys in the glare from oncoming headlights…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…headlights put out.” 

The victims are identified as 18-year-old Kyle Vidrine, of Lake Arthur, and 17-year-old Brannon Adams, of Jennings. Senegal says it is standard practice to obtain blood toxicology samples in such cases, however….:

Cut 12 (05) “…the Jeep Wrangler.”  

The crash remains under investigation.

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New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis and Vice-Chair of House Governmental Affairs says the current congressional map does not meet certain standards required by the Voting Rights Act because it doesn’t reflect the state’s one-third black population.

Cut 13 (08) “…voter dilution.”

Duplessis says while the most recent Census didn’t show much growth in the state’s overall population, he says of the six congressional districts the state’s one-third Black residents should be represented by two of those districts, not one.

Cut 14 (08)  “…lies a problem.” 

Duplessis made the remarks at the Baton Rouge Press Club meeting this afternoon.

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Cut 15 (12) “…unnecessary.” 

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 Cut  16 (08)  “…their businesses“

The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says Republicans weren’t willing to pass any map except the one that passed in the original redistricting session.

Cut 5  (11) “…the committee.”

Even though the session adjourned on the fourth legislative day Senate Governmental Affairs Chair, Slidell Senator Hewitt says Judge Shelly Dick’s order that only allowed them six days to pass a new map wasn’t realistic.

Cut 6  (09) “…to do so.” 

Judge Dick set a court date of June 29^th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8^th court date set.

After recent incidents, that included altercations and an escape, at the Bridge City Center for Youth and the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards has directed State Police and the Department of Corrections to provide personnel to assist with staffing shortages. Office of Juvenile Justice Spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says they welcome the governor’s assistance…

Cut 7 (12) “…of the shift.” 

State Police says two 16-year-old Prairieview teens were killed after their vehicle submerged underwater Sunday afternoon near Bayou Manchac in Ascension Parish. Authorities say Caroline Smith was driving the vehicle and it appears Smith failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle ended up in a private pond also claiming the life of Chole Hamilton. LSP says it’s not clear if seatbelt use was a factor in the crash and it remains under investigation.

The special legislative session to pass a court-ordered congressional map with two Black majority districts failed to pass and now lawmakers await feedback from the judicial system. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says despite his efforts with a map that had two Black districts, in the end, the legislature simply had no desire to pass a new map.

Cut 3 (10) “…districts.”

Chair of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the legislature did make a concerted effort, but in the end, she says the votes weren’t there.

Cut 4  (10) “…to support.”

Judge Shelly Dick set a court date of June 29^th for attorneys to present congressional maps for her consideration while the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has a July 8^th court date set. Attorney General Jeff Landry is petitioning the State Supreme Court’s Court to rule on the matter.

The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5 years of age, a move applauded by one of the top pediatricians in Louisiana. Mark Kline is physician-in-chief and chief medical officer at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. He says this is long overdue…:

Cut 14 (11)  “deaths from occurring.”

A quartet of students from Tulane University is in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to compete in NASA’s RASC-AL forum. Tulane’s Team is one of just 15 finalists invited to present its designs at the competition, with an opportunity for its work to be a part of the 2025 mission to the moon. Graduate student Brock Headen says he never imagined they would get this far.

Cut  11 (07)  “…shooting for it.” 

Tulane’s group will make their presentation tomorrow with two winners to be announced on Thursday.