The Supreme Court hears oral arguments over Louisiana’s congressional map that could have a profound effect on the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Much needed rain is in the forecast for this weekend. But Jeff Palermo reports we are not looking at a drought buster…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this morning on Louisiana’s congressional map that could have a profound effect on the Voting Rights Act across the country. At issue is the creation of the state’s second majority Black district. Janai Nelson, the head of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund, says a third of the state’s eligible voters are Black, therefore Black voters in two of the state’s six Congressional districts should have the ability to elect the candidate of their choice…
Cut 3 (11) “…process is constitutional.”
Nelson says the creation of the state’s second majority Black congressional district was not done with the purpose of achieving a certain outcome.
Cut 4 (08) “…not party discrimination.”
But Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ahg-yee-NYA-gah) argued for the State of Louisiana and says race should not be the main factor in determining the districts of a Congressional map…
Cut 5 (13) “…their voting strength (2x).”
Aguinaga rejects Nelson’s assertion that the creation of a second majority Black district was done without regard to political preference.
Cut 6 (10) “…same political candidates.”
While the Supreme Court normally issues its rulings in June, the court is expected to rule on this case in the next two to three months, so that if a new map needs to be drawn, it can be done in time for the 2026 elections.
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Baton Rouge Police have arrested a 16-year-old in connection with Saturday night’s shooting on the LSU campus that wounded two people. Lt. L’ Jean McKneely Jr. says not only was there a football game at Tigers Stadium, but many people were also on campus for an unsanctioned event that was canceled by university officials. McKneely says as they were moving the crowd off campus, shots were fired.
Cut 7 (08) “…their investigation.”
McKneely says thanks to good detective work they identified the shooter and released a photo of the suspect seeking the public’s help in finding him…
Cut 8 (11) “…juvenile detention.”
The 16-year-old faces several charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder. McKneely says the shooting stemmed from a prior altercation between the involved parties…
Cut 9 (09) “…gun fire.”
District Attorney Hillar Moore says the 16-year-old suspect arrested could be tried as an adult. He’s being held without bond.
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Eleven parishes have outdoor burn bans in place because of the dry conditions. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says for more than a third of the state, the fire danger is rated as High. Grymes says there is relief in sight as a cold front will boost rain chances this weekend
Cut 10 (08) “…much rain.”
Grymes says much of the northern half of the state could see one inch or more, while southern parishes could get a half inch of rain or less
Cut 11 (09) “…of the drought”
Grymes says the state has not seen much rain since late August and expects more parishes will issue outdoor burns this week…
Cut 12 (14) “…go up.”
Grymes says after the rain this weekend, the state will revert back to a dry pattern next week and the long-range forecast is not very promising when it comes frequent to precipitation.