The U-S Justice Department has announced it will look into the patterns and practices of the Louisiana State Police as the law enforcement agency has been the subject of criticism for recent excessive force arrests, including one that ended in the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene in 2019. U.S. Attorney Ronald Gathe for the Middle District of Louisiana says the civil rights investigation is imperative to restore public confidence in law enforcement…
cut 14 (08) “….and police”

A 5th U-S Circuit Court of appeals panel has stayed an order made by a Baton Rouge federal judge that called for state lawmakers to redraw a Congressional district map. It’s the ruling Republican lawmakers were expecting and there’s a greater chance that a special session called by the governor to redraw the map will not happen next week.

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry says they’re mostly happy with what the legislature has sent to the Governor’s desk this year…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Inflation has put added pressure on the state’s food banks and Second Harvest spokeswoman Natasha Curley says in the summer months there’s an added stress for food banks as kids who normally receive free, or reduced-cost meals are no longer in school,
Cut 8 (08) “…more kids.”
If you need food assistance, you can call 2-1-1 to direct you to the closest food bank.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he welcomes the U-S Department of Justice’s civil rights investigation into the patterns and practices of State Police. The probe will assess LSP’s use of excessive force and whether it engages in racially discriminatory policing. State Police Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis offers his full cooperation too. Kristen Clark is the U-S Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division…
cut 13 (12) “…expeditiously”

Meanwhile, the city of Bastrop continues to try and comprehend a triple homicide that took place early Wednesday morning. Three teenage males were killed…
cut 12 (10) “…..and outrage”
Morehouse Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeremy Mardis says three people have been arrested in connection with the gunfight that resulted in the three fatalities.

As the country continues to face record inflation, food banks continue to meet unprecedented demand. Natasha Curley with Second Harvest in Louisiana says demand has been nonstop since COVID. With three devastating hurricanes and now the economy, demand has only increased.
Cut 7 (07) “…also helps.”
Curley says there are many individuals who continue to donate as well.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says there were several big legislative wins in the just-completed legislative session, including the creation of Education Savings Accounts that expand education options for children. But LABI President Stephen Waguespack regrets that one bill they deemed critical failed to pass…
cut 6 (11) “…..at the ballot”

The U-S Justice Department announced its opened a pattern or practice investigation into State Police to determine whether LSP uses excessive force and engages in racially discriminatory policing against Black residents and other people of color…
cut 11 (08) “…the head”
That’s Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. She says the investigation will include a comprehensive review of LSP policies, training, supervision, and force investigations.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $4.50 for the first time and Triple-A’s Don Redman says there’s no relief in sight, in fact, it may get worse…
cut 8 (12) “….the fall”

Higher education will see a record increase in funding for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The money contained in the budget for universities and colleges contains a pay raise for faculty, the largest capital outlay allocation to higher ed, money to help adult learners go back to school and there are also five million dollars for title nine and power-based violence training programs. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed..
cut 5 (10) “….work”

Lake Charles chef Amanda Cusey is this year’s winner of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-off which took place this week in Lafayette. Cusey cooked a pan-seared red drum over tomato polenta with crawfish cream sauce. The Arizona native makes Italian dishes at Villa Harequin in Lake Charles…
cut 14 (09) “….in Ireland”
Cusey will represent Louisiana in the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans in August.

The U-S Department of Justice announced a short time ago its launched an extensive civil rights investigation looking whether State Police has a pattern of abusing black drivers and targeting Black residents. The D-O-J says its goal is to ensure L-S-P’s policing policies and practices are constitutional and lawful.

The Legislature approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits because there’s a great need for coders. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says unless Louisiana starts making some aggressive changes, it might be impossible to develop enough qualified candidates to meet demand.
Cut 11 (12) “…next five years.”
Critics of the legislation also say learning a foreign language is also essential.

The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says that means in 12 years there will not be enough money to pay the full benefits promised to seniors and those who will be on retirement then.
Cut 13 (05) “…cliff.”
Cassidy says current law would require 24 to 36-percent automatic cuts if the federal government doesn’t act.

Next month Louisiana will launch the M-J Foster Scholars program which wil provide adult learners with financial aid in order to be trained in high-demand and highwafe field. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the budget that goes into effect contains ten million dollars for this new financial aid program…
cut 4 (09) “….real difference”

The Louisiana Legislature has approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits. SB 191 was sponsored by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who says it gives students who struggle with learning languages and those looking to develop workforce skills more options.
Cut 10 (07) “…a language.”
Hewitt says computer coding skills represent the single biggest workforce gap in the state

The FDA advisory committee is recommending that the FDA give full approval to another COVID vaccine. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says the Novavax offering is similar to the more traditional vaccines for flu and hepatitis.
Cut 7 (12) “…for decades.”
Novavax vaccine delivers a small amount of the COVID spike protein so your immune system will respond and build antibodies.

A bill awaiting Governor Edwards’ signature will allow truckers to begin pulling tandem trailers to and from shipping ports. Kevin Gallagher has more on that…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says the latest report from the trustees of the Social Security trust fund shows the program will be involvent in 12 years. Cassidy says the Biden Administration needs to come up with a plan and he’ll also work with his colleagues in Congress…
cut 15 (08) “….us all”

The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of three individuals in a fatal shooting that resulted in the deaths of three Bastrop teenagers. Details on what sparked the shooting have not been released. It occurred early Wednesday morning and callers told police they heard over a dozen gunshots.

A proposed option for the foreign language requirement for TOPS could mean a new career pathway for students. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A bill that’s made its way to the governor’s desk will allow trucks to pull two 20-foot containers to and from shipping ports. Now they still have to be under the state’s 37-thousand pounds per axle limit. But Norco Senator Gary Smith hopes his legislation can help with supply chain issues…
cut 6 (12) “….it needs to go”
The state transportation department will issue the annual permits and the new tandem load permit can only be used on designated roadways.

The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says that means in 12 years there will not be enough money to pay the full benefits promised to seniors and those who will be on retirement then.
Cut 13 (05) “…cliff.”
Cassidy says current law would require 24 to 36-percent automatic cuts if the federal government doesn’t act.

Now that the LSU baseball season is over, Tiger fans are looking forward to Brian Kelly’s first season as football coach. Kelly has a quarterback battle on his hands as veterans Myles Brennan and Jayden Daniels are in competition to be Q-B-1. But LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio this week, says he’s impressed with the development of Garrett Nussemeier…
cut 17 (18) “…he can do”
Nussmeier threw for 136 yards and a touchdown in LSU’s spring game.

LSU players Dylan Crews and Tre Morgan have been invited to join the U-S Collegiate National Team this summer. Crews was the 2022 SEC co-player of the year and Morgan was a 2022 SEC All-Defensive team selection and hit .324.

Former LSU pitcher and SEC analyst Ben McDonald says he believes Tigers coach Jay Johnson changed the culture of LSU baseball this season and the future looks bright…
cut 19 (19) “….transfer portal”

LSU signee Ethan Frey from Rosepine has been named the Class Two-A player of the year. Frey hit .487 with 13 home runs and 64 RBIS. Notre Dame’s Corine Poncho who hit 32 home runs and drove in 71 runs was named the Class Two-A softball player of the year.

As a result of legislation approved in the legislative session, students can take two years of computer coding instead of a foreign language and still qualify for the TOPS scholarship. Some lawmakers say foreign languages are essential. But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she just wants to provide another option for students that could better serve their academic needs and give them a marketable skill at the same time.
Cut 12 (10) “…option for them.”

Big rigs pulling tandem trailers will be seen again on Louisiana roadways. Norco Senator Gary smith says his bill awaiting the governor’s signature creates a new tandem load permit; allowing trucks to haul two 20-foot trailers. He says it addresses a shortage of truck drivers and wear & tear on the highways…:
Cut 4 (11) “…weight per axle.”

The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office says three people have been charged in the fatal shooting of three teenagers in Bastrop. Jaquaurius Givens and Errigan Rainwater have been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and John Lee Rabun has been charged with obstruction of justice. The triple homicide occurred early Wednesday morning. Nearby residents told police they heard 15 to 20 gunshots.

Another COVID vaccine could be available soon if the FDA decides to follow the advice of its advisory panel.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”