A political analyst expects Governor Edwards to veto the regular session’s signature bill aimed at lowering auto insurance rates through lawsuit reform. Matt Doyle has more…
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Ronnie Jones is out as chairman of the state’s gaming control board. The retired state police deputy superintendent has held the job since 2013, but the Senate did not confirm his re-appointment. Since the decision was made during executive session, there’s no public record on why Jones was ousted.

Louisiana could be threatened by a named storm next week. Tropical Storm Cristobal formed this morning in the southern Gulf of Mexico. It’s not expected to move much over the next couple of days, but the National Hurricane Center says Cristobal will eventually head north and could be nearing the Louisiana coast on Sunday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says says a strong storm in June is possible…
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President Trump calls on governors to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “dominate the streets” in the wake of lawlessness following nationwide police brutality protests. Senator Bill Cassidy backed the President’s statement. He says Americans have the right to protest peacefully, but not violently.
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Tropical Storm Cristobal in the Bay of Campeche today, but it will remain stationary for the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says later this week the system is expected to head towards the central Gulf Coast…
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The National Hurricane Center forecasts a tropical storm bearing down on Louisiana’s coast early next week.

President Trump calls on governors to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “dominate the streets” in the wake of lawlessness following nationwide police brutality protests. Senator Bill Cassidy backed the President’s statement. He says Americans have the right to protest peacefully, but not violently.
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Legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by enacting lawsuit reform is headed to the Governor’s desk. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his bill brings our legal climate in line with other states. He pointed to an exchange he had with Nationwide as evidence…
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The bill extends the prescriptive period for filing suits and lowers the jury trial threshold from 50,000 to 10,000 dollars.

LSU plans to test 10-to-16 percent of the population on their campuses as part of their plan to have students back in the classrooms for the fall semester. Interim president Thomas Galligan on what happens if someone tests positive…
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Anti-body testing will also be offered to employees.

Louisiana will enter Phase Two on Friday and that means more businesses can open to 50-percent capacity…
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The National Hurricane Center says a Tropical Depression in the Bay of Campeche will develop into Tropical Storm Cristobal later today. Forecasters say the system will move northward across the Gulf of Mexico later this week, but it’s too soon to specify the location and timing of any potential impacts along the Gulf Coast.

In the final hour of the regular session, lawmakers approved legislation that seeks to lower auto insurance rates by making significant changes to the state’s legal system. Opponents of the measure say it will make difficult for those involved in a car accident from getting money and it does not require auto insurance companies to lower rates. Amite Representative Robby Carter…
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Governor Edwards could veto it.

Today is the first full day of the special session, as lawmakers still need to pass a budget. Republican legislators will also use this time to pass tax breaks to help businesses impacted by the COVID shutdown. Chairman of the Louisiana Economic Recovery Task Force Jason Decuir says despite our current budget woes the cost of inaction will create bigger problems…
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Louisiana will begin phase two of reopening of the economy on Friday that means restaurants, churches, funerals, barbers and casinos and many other businesses can operate at 50-percent capacity. Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says several businesses can also re-open for the first time since March…
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Bars can also operate at 25-percent capacity beginning Friday, but New Orleans is holding off on moving to phase two.

LSU plans to test 10-to-16 percent of the population on their campuses as part of their plan to have students back in the classrooms for the fall semester. Interim president Thomas Galligan on what happens if someone tests positive…
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Anti-body testing will also be offered to employees. LSU also hopes to launch a mobile app that would include a symptom checker for users and a contact tracing function.

The regular session ended last night with lawmakers approving a bill that would set up a 300-million dollar small business grant program. The money would come from 811-million dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid that the governor intended to use to help local governments. Also passing, a tort reform bill that supporters say will lead to lower auto insurance rates, opponents are skeptical that will happen.

Now the special session is underway. Matt Doyle reports legislators will discuss proposals to help businesses cripppled by the COVid shutodown..
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Starting Friday restaurants can operate at 50-percent capacity and bars can open in a limited fashion as the state enters Phase Two. Assistant Health Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says the 50 percent capacity in restaurants still requires groups to be seated six feet apart.
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He notes “high risk” individuals should continue to isolate themselves.

Legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by enacting lawsuit reform is headed to the Governor’s desk. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his bill brings our legal climate in line with other states. He pointed to an exchange he had with Nationwide as evidence…
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The bill extends the prescriptive period for filing suits and lowers the jury trial threshold from 50,000 to 10,000 dollars. It faces a possible veto from the governor as there’s a concern the legislation will not lower rates.

The regular session ended last night and a 30-day special session is underway. The call for the special session contains 41 items and Chairman of the Louisiana Economic Recovery Task Force Jason Decuir says many of the proposals aim to help businesses closed due to COVID-19…
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LSU outlines a roadmap to the return to physical class settings this fall. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Louisiana will enter Phase Two on Friday and that means more businesses can open to 50-percent capacity…
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The regular session concluded last night with lawmakers approving a bill that makes changes to the state’s legal system in an effort to reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson voted against it
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There’s a chance the governor will veto the legislation.

LSU outlines a roadmap to the return to physical class settings this fall. Cleaning, handwashing, and physical distancing will see a continued emphasis. LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan expects the CDC will also still recommend face coverings, so the university will contribute to that need.
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LSU also plans to test 10 to 16 percent of the population of the campuses statewide for the virus this fall, with voluntary participants selected at random.

LSU announces they’ll finally play Southern in football in 2022 and host Grambling State the following year. The Tigers have never played the historically black colleges on the gridiron.

Governor Edwards announces the state will move into phase two of reopening of the economy beginning on Friday. Edwards says he made the decision after analyzing several key metrics…
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Phase two means bars can reopen at 25-percent capacity, while restaurants and other businesses can increase capacity from 25 to 50-percent. Pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas can reopen for the first time since March.

The National Hurricane Center says an area of disturbed weather near the Yucatan Peninsula is becoming better organized and there’s a high chance it will form into a tropical storm tonight or tomorrow. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says Louisiana residents should monitor…
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A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Pineville yesterday, claiming the lives of two men from Alexandria and leaving a 7-year-old in the ICU. President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says the deaths of twin brothers Ben and Blake Cooper is devastating news…
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Blake Cooper was the director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port Authority and Ben Cooper was an administrator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Alexandria.

State lawmakers have approved the regulatory framework so residents in 47 parishes can participate in online fantasy sports contests. In a special session that starts tonight, legislators will figure out how it should be taxed. Fairness for Fantasy sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says the tax bill will be more contentious than this regulatory bill…
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