According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up to $4.55 a gallon, another new record high. With no relief in sight for record-high gas prices, some workplaces could return to virtual work options that were implemented during the pandemic. That’s the word from University of New Orleans business professor Mark Rosa who says it’s a simple decision for those businesses that already have the technology in place.
Cut 4 (07) “…return to it.”
Gas prices have also led to record-high inflation and families are making difficult decisions on ways to cut costs. Jeff Dorson with the Louisiana Humane Society says some pet owners feel they have no other choice but to bring their pet to an animal shelter.
Cut 10 (07) “…no space.”
Dorson says shelters in Louisiana are always overpopulated because the spay and neuter rate is extremely low.

A federal appeals court on Sunday has lifted a stay placed on a lower court’s ruling that has ordered the Louisiana Legislature to redraw a Congressional district map that has two Black majority districts. The decision likely means a special session to redraw the map will take place. The six-day session is set to get underway Wednesday.

A new name has emerged as a possible candidate to run for governor next year. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says former Louisiana Western District U-S Attorney Donald Washington, a Black Republican could get in the race…
cut 13 (11) “…as U-S Attorney”

There’s a chance the special session Governor Edwards’ called for next week will not happen after a federal appeals court blocked a lower court”s ruling that ordered legislators to redraw a Congressional district map by June 20th. Republican legislative leaders say next week’s special session should be canceled. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski says lawmakers could also convene on Wednesday and adjourn minutes later
Cut 10 (06) ” ..first day.”
Stefanski believes the Congressional District map with one Black Majority district should be used for the fall elections, but the governor says there should be two because of an increase in the black population.

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.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, it’s a perfect opportunity to go fish. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A federal appeals court blocks an order from a U-S District Judge calling on lawmakers to redraw a Congressional district map. This means a special session for lawmakers to draw a six-district Louisiana Congressional map with two majority Black Districts will probably not happen. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski says that based on an ongoing Alabama redistricting case, Louisiana can use the Congressional map approved by lawmakers in February for this fall’s congressional election…
Cut 11 (06) “…down the line”

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”

Food banks are also feeling the pinch with record inflation and gas prices. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Anyone can fish this weekend in Louisiana without a fishing license. It’s the state’s annual free fishing weekend and in preparation, LDWF Biologist Danica Williams says they’ve stocked 17 waterways across the state with ample catfish to improve the odds of catching a fish…
cut 4 (04) “….go fishing”
For a list of 17 fishing sites visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website.

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry is happy with the bills passed in the regular session to establish Education Savings Accounts. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says the state ranks 48th in education and less than half of our students can read at grade level, and a solution is the ESA’s…:
Cut 4 (13) “…or other services.”

Triple-A says the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is up another two cents today to $4.52. Record high gas prices are impacting almost everything, including food banks which are feeling extra pressure to serve the state’s neediest citizens. Second harvest spokeswoman Natasha Curley…
cut 9 (08) “…..transportations”
New details have emerged from early Wednesday morning’s gunfight that took the lives of three teenagers in Bastrop. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Severe weather is expected to impact most of the state today. Strong thunderstorms have already developed in southeastern Union and Ouachita Parishes this morning. The severe weather threat exists for central and south Louisiana later today.

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.