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.

Vaccine providers in Louisiana are prepping to schedule appointments for children ages six months and older who are now eligible for the COVID vaccines after the FDA gave emergency use authorization last week. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says he can’t understate the importance of having children vaccinated against COVID.
Cut 3 (12) “…age of five.”
Kanter says 175 providers in the state have ordered COVID vaccine doses for children.

Due to gas prices impacting summer travel, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve made a few marketing tweaks for tourism and so far, they appear to be working. He says they’ve scraped their One Tank Get Around Louisiana campaign and changed it to a half-tank of gas.
Cut 7 (07) “…tank of gas.”
And they’ve also been running promotions a bit closer to home in neighboring states.

You may be double-checking your calendar, but today is the first official day of summer. David Grubb has more on the rising temperatures that await…
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

LSU deputy athletic director Stephanie Rempe is reportedly set to become the new athletic director at Nevada. Rempe plays a critical role in LSU’s athletic department. According to her bio she oversees every facet of the daily operations. She came to LSU when Scott Woodward was hired as LSU’s athletic director in 2019.

Governor Edwards vetoes bills creating Education Savings Accounts that are aimed to help kids behind in reading and other learning challenges…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The governor has also vetoed a bill that the author says would have made it harder for a person convicted of killing a police officer to earn good behavior. The legislation is in response to the 2016 death of Sterlington Police Sergeant David Elahi who was struck by a vehicle working a traffic accident. The governor says the bill would unfairly treat a person of crime of negligence, the same as a person convicted of an intentional crime.

Gas prices have alter summer vacations for some. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are still pushing for visitors from surrounding states to visit Louisiana, but COVID requirements have been lifted for international travelers into the US, there’s a chance they can see a growth in international tourism…
cut 9 (12) “…..soon as possible”
Nungesser says despite the record high gas prices, state parks are on track for another record-breaking year.

Another scorcher today and triple digit readings are possible by the end of the week. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 5 (12) “….be smart about it”

Starting today, Louisiana residents can schedule an appointment for their child under the age of five to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The Louisiana Department of Health says 175 providers have ordered 25-thousand vaccine doses, but what will the demand be. The state ranks fourth to last for total vaccination rate at 54-percent.

As folks are watching their wallet and their gas tank this summer, state department of tourism is adjusting its promotional campaigns. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It’s the first day of summer and temperatures will feel like it as temps will get into the mid to upper 90s with heat indices well above 100-degrees…
cut 6 (13) “….even dangerous”
Rain chances below 20-percent for north Louisiana, but above 30-percent for south Louisiana today.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is looking for a graphic designer who can produce the logo that will be used for the 2025 Super Bowl Host Committee. Executive director Jay Cicero says the chosen designer will work hand in hand with the Host Committee to create a logo that is uniquely New Orleans…
cut 14 (11) “….a lengthy process”
Go to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation website for more information.

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed bills known as Education Savings Accounts, where certain students could receive state funding in order to attend a private school. But Edwards is concerned the legislation really doesn’t work, they do not provide an educational savings for parents. But Daniel Erspamer with the Pelican Institute disagrees…
cut 11 (14) “…all over the country

Due to gas prices impacting summer travel, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve made a few marketing tweaks for tourism and so far, they appear to be working. He says they’ve scraped their One Tank Get Around Louisiana campaign and changed it to a half-tank of gas.
Cut 7 (07) “…tank of gas.”
And they’ve also been running promotions a bit closer to home in neighboring states.

Though the temperatures may have indicated otherwise, today is the first official day of summer. State climatologist Barry Keim says get used to the sweltering temperatures because they aren’t going anywhere.
Cut 4 (10) “…this past week.”
Keim says this month could be an all-timer when it comes to daily and monthly temperature readings.

The 2025 New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee has released a Request for Qualifications, or RFQ, for local graphic designers and firms to help create the logo and visual brand identity for Super Bowl 59. Here’s Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero…
Cut 13 (12) “…for this RFQ.”
For more information visit g-n-o-sports-dot-com.