Louisiana nursing home owner Bob Dean faces criminal charges related to residents’ deaths that occurred in the days after Hurricane Ida. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

New Orleans Police is investigating the fatal shooting of a two-year-old boy in the Hollygrove neighborhood. The toddler was pronounced dead at children’s hospital. NOLA-dot-com reports the shooting occurred as a result of a domestic dispute. Charges are expected.

The oppressive heat in Louisiana this week will be responsible for the highest power usage on record, that’s according to Entergy. Utility spokesperson David Freese says one way to save on your bill is to set your thermostat to 78 degrees.
Cut 7 (12) “…per the household.”
Freese says every degree below 78 adds three percent to your bill.

Over 15-hundred farmers, ranchers and their families are in New Orleans for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th annual meeting. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says several political heavyweights are scheduled to speak during the convention….
cut 6 (13) “…they vote”
Davidson says what should be included in the 2023 Farm Bill is one of the top items on their business agenda.

Forecasters are calling for record heat starting today through Thursday. Brooke Thorington has more from Entergy…
cut 2 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

According to Tangipahoa Parish jail records, nursing home operator Bob Dean bonded out of jail after he turned himself in yesterday. Dean faces eight felony counts of cruelty to people with infirmities, five felony counts of Medicaid fraud and two felony counts of obstruction of justice for moving 800 nursing home residents to an ill equipped warehouse in Independence prior to Hurricane Ida’s landfall.

In an effort to reduce the burden of high gas prices on Americans, President Biden is asking Congress for a temporary gas holiday, by suspending the federal gas and diesel taxes for three months. Louisiana Congressman and Democrat Troy Carter says he supports the President’s proposal, but also believes the administration should look at long-term solutions to lower prices.
Cut 10 (09) “…produce fuel.”

Today in New Orleans, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation begins its 100th annual meeting…
cut 4 (13) “…this state”
That’s Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson who says discussing what should be in the 2023 Farm Bill is one of the key items on their agenda.

State Police announces a multi-violent crime enforcement operation results in 171 arrests across central Louisiana. There were 278 total charges, 140 were for drug charges and Master Trooper Casey Wallace says first responders have already seen a difference…
cut 8 (07) “…to one”
The operation also seized a number of illegal drugs including methamphetamine, PCP, ecstasy, and fentanyl.

Louisiana Tech and the Baltimore Ravens are mourning the death of linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, who died at the age of 26. His coach at West Feliciana High School, Robb Odom is in shock…
cut 9 (13) “…light up a room
The Saint Francisville native is the NCAA’s all-time sack leader. A cause of death has not been released.

Louisiana lands a blow in the fight against workplace discrimination. David Grubb explains…
Voicer 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Governor John Bel Edwards signed several bills into law yesterday, one of them prohibits law enforcement from releasing the mug shots of suspects arrested for non-violent offenses. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he brought the legislation because mug shots are hardly ever retracted if a person was found innocent…
Cut 5 (09) “…digital Scarlet Letter.”
Duplessis says once a non-violent offender is convicted of the crime they were arrested for, then the mugshot would be made available to the public.

The governor also signed legislation that would prevent employers or those who provide housing from discriminating against an individual because of their natural or protective hairstyle. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell is the author of the Crown Act…
cut 11 (12) “…legislation statewide”
Previous attempts to pass this legislation in Louisiana failed.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state is in its sixth COVID surge…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Tech is mourning the death of former football star Jaylon Ferguson, who died at the age of 26. The Saint Francisville native is the NCAA’s all-time sack leader as he racked up 45 sacks and was known as the “Sack Daddy.” He was set to begin his fourth season with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have not released any details on Ferguson’s death.

The Governor signs into law a bill prohibiting the publication of most booking photos; aka “mug shots” before a conviction. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police announces a multi-violent crime enforcement operation results in 171 arrests in Rapides, Natchitoches and Grant parishes. There were 278 total charges, 140 were drug charges, 28 weapon charges and 57 other felony charges. 31 illegally possessed firearms were seized.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s natural, protective or cultural hairsytles like afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids and cornrow braids. Similar attempts to pass this measure failed in the past. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says she had some hard conversations with some of her House colleagues in order to pass this bill…
cut 12 (11) “….of something”
Newell says for Louisiana to reach its potential more difficult conversations will have to take place.

Law enforcement refers to this time period as the 100 Deadliest Days of summer as there tends to be an increase in deaths among younger individuals. State Trooper Christian Reed has this advice for young drivers…
cut 14 (06) “….a vehicle”

The CROWN Act has officially become law. Sponsored by New Orleans representative Candace Newell, the law prohibits intentional discrimination based on hairstyles, particularly those that are natural or protective. Research has shown that 80 percent of Black women have endured some type of discrimination based on their hair in the workplace. Newell says this sends a strong message.
Cut 10 (12) “…your character.”

Another bill signed into law will result in law enforcement no longer releasing the booking photos of suspects arrested for nonviolent offenses.
cut 6 (09) “…we’re trying to strike”
New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says publicizing a mug shot will be OK if the subject is a wanted fugitive, considered dangerous and/or a threat to public safety.

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 their Louisiana policies on June 30th, but these policyholders will have coverage through July and August. He says Citizens can also provide coverage for 60 days for Southern Fidelity policyholders who see their current coverage canceled on July 15th.

State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the state is experiencing its sixth COVID surge as the state reported 28-hundred new cases yesterday. But Kanter says unlike previous surges, there’s not been a dramatic increase in COVID hospitalizations or deaths…
cut 8 (12) “…time around”
The state reported five more COVID deaths yesterday.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation into law that would close Louisiana’s three abortion clinics should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v Wade. The legislation does not criminally punish pregnant women, but doctors or others who perform an abortion could be sentenced for up to 10 years in prison. The trigger law does not contain exception for rape and incest, but Benjamin Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says there are exceptions for medical causes, like ectopic pregnancies, stillbirth diagnoses and to protect the health of the mother….
cut 28 (12) “….through abortion”
The Supreme Court could overturn Roe Versus Wade as early as today.

State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the state is experiencing its sixth COVID surge. L-D-H reported close to 29-hundred new cases yesterday, but Kanter says that does not take into account positive at home tests…
cut 7 (09) “….right now”
Statewide COVID hospitalizations are at 375.

Governor Edwards signs into law a bill prohibiting the public release of most booking photos – also called “mug shots” – prior to the subject’s conviction. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis is the bill’s author. He says the law – which goes into effect on August 1st – will only apply to mug shots of people booked with non-violent offenses…:
Cut 4 (12) “…found not guilty”
Even though the law goes into effect August first, some sheriff offices have already announced they will begin following the legislation.

Law enforcement officials say we are in the midst of the 100 Deadliest Days of summer. State Trooper Christian Reed says from Memorial Day to Labor Day there’s an increase in traffic fatalities among young drivers.
Cut 13 (11) “…in a deadly crash.”
Reed says parents need to have honest discussions with their children about the dangers of drinking and driving or getting in the car with a driver who’s impaired.