A Louisiana bug expert says the threat of murder hornets is relatively low. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
____________________________
Grand Isle is back open and last weekend’s beautiful weather led to packed public beaches. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
_____________________________
Murder hornets have captured the spotlight after the giant Asian insect was detected in the northern parts of Washington state, but experts say the level of concern is relatively low. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says the few that have been found are contained in Washington.
Cut 3 (12) “…of that area.”
While human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction. It’s the impact on the honeybee population that is the most concerning.
Cut 4 (07)_ “…matter of hours.”
Louisiana’s climate would be suitable for murder hornets, but Healey says the hornet’s ability to migrate is limited due to being a social insect in need of a queen to maintain a colony.
Cut 5 (12) “…establish a colony.”
_________________________________________________
Last weekend the Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state.
Tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says beaches are open to the public but they’d appreciate it if people would space out a bit more.
Cut 6 (12) “…distancing.”
The weather was great last weekend and photographers snapped photos of packed beaches, sparking some controversy about the reopening of public spaces.
Tourism is the lifeblood of that small community and LaFont says since they opened to vacationers Friday the crowds have rapidly grown.
Cut 7 (10) “…back .”
Police are also enforcing a curfew from 9 PM to 6 AM. Elmer’s Island and Grand Isle State Park are also closed.
LaFont says the island has some great fishing and they’d love to see anglers return. Just know there are a few restrictions.
Cut 8 (12) “…distancing”
If you don’t want to catch your meal LaFont says the island’s restaurants are bustling and offering take-out with outdoor seating.
______________________________
The operating manager of Zeke’s snowball stand in Plaquemine is in jail charged with 537 counts of video voyeurism. Authorities say 31-year old Clinton Brocksmith placed a pinhole camera in the bathroom of the snowball stand and recorded images of girls and then uploaded them to an iPad. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says it was an employee that discovered the images.
Cut 9 (09) “…exposed a video”
Stassi says they also found images on the iPad they can’t identify and additional charges could be filed.
Cut 10 (12) “…some home.”
Stassi is urging parents to contact the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office if their child was an employee of the snowball stand during the last two and a half years while Brocksmith was the manager.
Cut 11 (06) “…in that area.”
Stassi says Zeke’s Snowball Stand has been a mainstay of the area since he was a child.
______________________________
The Senate Insurance Committee voted against legislation today that would prohibit insurance companies from using a driver’s gender, credit score rating or whether they are a widow in determining auto insurance rates. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau argued credit score has nothing to do with a person’s driving record
Cut 12 (10) “…their rates”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opposed Luneau’s legislation. Donelon says the bills will not lead to lower rates, which are among the highest in the nation…
Cut 13 (08) “…amount of money”
Women who have lost their husbands are frustrated to see their rates go up after their spouse dies. But Donelon defended the reason on why that happens…
Cut 14 (12) “…the cost”
Luneau did score one victory today. The Senate Insurance Committee approved his bill that prohibits insurance providers from setting a rate based on whether a person in the military is deployed for more than six months…
Cut 15 (08)“…(laughter).”
The bill that prevents higher rates for deployed soldiers heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.