A consumer advocacy group once again observes an anniversary by sending a business lobby a tiki torch. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Dads take center stage this Sunday, though a new survey shines a light on just how difficult it is for Louisiana’s working fathers. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

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In an effort to hold the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry accountable for a promise he made two years ago, Eric Holl with Real Reform Louisiana sent Stephen Waguespack another Tiki Torch. Holl says in a radio interview Waguespack said tort reform would lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 3 (12) “…go down.”

Holl says since House Bill 57 passed two years ago, auto insurance rates have actually increased. He says in 2020 rates rose 19 percent and announced rates for 2022 could increase as much as 15 percent.

Cut 4  (12) “…for them.”

Because Waguespack was not amused with the personal delivery of a tiki torch last June 17^th, Holl says he opted to have Amazon handle the delivery this year, but Waguespack has yet to deliver on his promise.

Cut 5  (09) “…that promise.”

Efforts to reach Waguespack have gone unanswered.

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This Father’s Day you may want to forget about getting Dad a tie or a wallet and instead maybe hand him a copy of the classifieds. A new survey by Wallethub-dot-com says that Louisiana is the worst state in the country for working dads. Communications director Jill Gonzalez says the rankings speak for themselves…

Cut 6  (14) “…struggled the most.” 

Just how bad do Dads have it here in the Bayou State? Gonzalez says Louisiana has almost a perfect storm of conditions to make a work-life balance nearly impossible and few support systems in place for getting it back, particularly in mental and physical health.

Cut 7 (10) “…in Louisiana.” 

The bottom of the survey rankings are dominated by Southern states, where insured rates are lower for workers, childcare costs exceed the quality of care, and men are being overworked, leaving too many in inactive lifestyles outside of their jobs. Gonzalez says Louisiana could learn from the states at the top of the rankings and start enacting policies more friendly to fathers.

Cut 8 (13) “…why not Louisiana.” 

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Choosing a major in college can be very stressful.  UL-Monroe VP of Enrollment Management Lisa Miller says the university is making that process easier by utilizing a new tool called MyMajors, which aligns students with degree programs based on their strengths, talents, and interests.

Cut 9 (12) “…versions of themselves.”

Incoming students take the MyMajors online assessment during their orientation and before exploring UL-M’s degree programs during breakout sessions. Miller says the response has been very exciting and the impact on students is easy to see.

Cut 10 (13) ” …something much greater.” 

Interest assessments aren’t new, though the MyMajors program is unique in that it provides students with a list of 10 majors at UL-M that might be good options for them, allowing academic advisors to provide additional information and guidance, which Millers says hopefully leads to greater confidence in degree paths, as well as higher retention and graduation rates.

Cut 11 (11)  “…degree programs.” 

MyMajors is free and is not only open to ULM students, but to anyone interested in pursuing a college degree. You can complete the quiz and get your own report at u-l-m-dot-mymajors-dot-com.

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Legislators have until Monday to submit a court-ordered congressional map that has two Black-majority districts instead of one that was passed by the Republican majority in February. On Thursday House Speaker Clay Schexnayder asked Federal Judge Shelly Dick for a deadline extension.

Cut 12 (09) “…we have.”  

Schexnayder says there are a number of new maps that have been submitted for consideration including three in the House.

Schexnayder says some of the maps submitted by Republican lawmakers do not have two Black minority districts as instructed by Judge Dick and they are merely placeholders and can be amended if needed. He says this is only the beginning of the judicial process because the map that passed in February has yet to be ruled on in the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Cut 13 (12) “…compare them.”

House Governmental Affairs is meeting now to consider four maps that have been filed and Senate Governmental Affairs meets at 1 pm to continue discussions on a bill that was debated in committee for almost five hours Thursday.

Cut 14 (12)  “…unnecessary.” 

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Senate Governmental Affairs debated one of the two congressional map offerings for almost five hours on Thursday. As the court-imposed June 20th deadline to submit a new map looms. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Another property insurance company exits Louisiana; leaving thousands seeking coverage…with the hurricane season already underway. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth. David Grubb has more on the meaning of the day…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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As the June 20^th court-imposed deadline lingers, Senate Governmental Affairs debated one bill for almost five hours on Thursday. Committee members voted to hold Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ bill over for debate until Friday. Fields’ bill has two Black-majority districts instead of one. He says delaying the vote is a slippery slope on the existing timeline.

Cut 4 (08)  “…Federal court.”

Committee Chair, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who also has a congressional map bill in the special session, countered when Fields when reminded members of the looming deadline

Cut 5 (07) “…our job.”

Amendments to Fields’ legislation were discussed in committee, one that will negate Field’s map if the courts ultimately rule that the enacted map with only one Black majority is legal. Fields voiced his frustration.

Cut 6 (08)  “…bad advice.”

House Governmental Affairs meets at 9 AM Friday where four congressional maps are on the docket.

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon addresses homeowners’ worries after another property insurance carrier cancels tens of thousands of policies, with hurricane season already  underway. Donelon says Lighthouse Excalibur is the latest in a series of companies to declare insolvency…:

Cut 7 (08) “…a new policy.”

Donelon says Lighthouse is the latest property insurer to cancel or non-renew policies in the wake of three strong hurricanes in 2020 and a major storm, Hurricane Ida, last fall. He says Lighthouse customers have until the end of the month to secure new coverage. Donelon says that’s not ALL of the bad news, though…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…Southern Fidelity Insurance Company.”

Donelon says Lighthouse Excalibur, and now Southern Fidelity, make five companies to exit the state…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…and Lighthouse.”

Donelon says displaced customers can seek assistance getting new coverage by calling the Department of Insurance, or visiting their website at “ldi.louisiana.gov.” He says some may need to use the state’s last-resort property insurer, Louisiana Citizens.

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State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth, which became a legal holiday in Louisiana last year. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas, and relayed the news that the Civil War had ended and that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed all those enslaved there two and half years earlier. Baton Rouge Rep. Larry Selders sponsored the legislation and recalls its passage vividly.

Cut 10 (11) “…part of it.”

While Juneteenth celebrations have been held throughout the state for years, many still don’t know the history of the holiday. Selders says the importance of the Juneteenth lies in the awareness and education it generates for citizens of all races.

Cut  11 (09)  “…kids to know.” 

Selders says he’s proud that the state eliminated holidays celebrating the Confederacy through legislation during this past session. He says that many didn’t know they existed, just as they didn’t know the history of Juneteenth, and believes we can reckon with the worst of our shared past while working toward a better future.

Cut 12 (08) “…hopefully they will.” 

Federal offices will be closed on Monday.

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A bipartisan gun safety bill is up for consideration in the US Senate. The bill calls for background checks and billions in funding for community mental health centers. When asked about his thoughts on the legislation on his monthly radio call-in show “Ask the Governor” Governor John Bel Edwards applauds the legislation.

Cut 13 (09) “…Uvalde.”

The bill also calls for extensive background checks for those 18 to 21 wishing to purchase a gun so their juvenile records can be reviewed for violations that would prohibit them from owning a firearm. Edwards who supports Second Amendment Rights is in favor of background checks.

Cut 14 (10)  “…long ago.”

The gun safety bill however does not raise the age from 18 to 21 for those wishing to purchase AR-15 style rifles. Edwards believes the age limit to purchase certain types of guns should be raised.

Cut 15 (11)  “…then either.”

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The Saints wrapped up minicamp yesterday by working indoors to escape the heat. The team had total participation in minicamp and Dennis Allen thinks they laid a great foundation heading into training camp next month.

Cut 16 (21)  “…2022 season.”

Allen says overall he’s been very happy with how the organization has handled the offseason and while he’s excited about the talent on the field and the sidelines, he knows the Saints’ work has just begun.

Cut 17 (18) “ …not satisfied.” 

The expectations in New Orleans are high after last season’s disappointment. Allen knows where the bar is and says the Saints are keeping their focus on continuing to improve each day.

Cut 18 (20) “ …in those areas.” 

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Lawmakers are debating over Congressional Maps in Senate Governmental Affairs after a court-imposed deadline of June 20^th remains in effect for a map with two majority-Black districts. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Shreveport Police and the FBI are asking for help in the search for those responsible for the death of Shamia Little. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

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Lawmakers are discussing two Congressional maps in Senate Governmental Affairs this morning, in an effort to meet the June 20^th court-imposed deadline. In discussions over Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ map, Slidell Senator, and committee chair Sharon Hewitt, who also has a map up for discussion, criticized Fields’ map with two Black-majority districts because it spilt a community in her own district.

Cut 3 (15) “…your plan.”

Jared Evans, with the Legal Defense Fund, endorsed Fields’ Congressional map.

Cut 4  (10) “…called for”

Fields’ map differs from the current enacted map that was approved by the majority-Republican legislature earlier this year. Hewitt believes the current map meets the guidelines set forth by the Voting Rights Act with only one majority Black district.

Cut 5  (12) “…and state law”

With a third of the state’s population Black, Fields says the Congressional map should reflect and allow for proper representation of minorities. He argued that the current map approved by the majority Republican legislature is not fair.

Cut 6  (10) “…not right.” 

US Judge Shelly Dick denied a request from Senate President Page Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder for a deadline extension to redraw the current congressional map. The deadline of June 20th remains in effect.

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At around 2:20 Thursday morning, five juveniles escaped from the Bridge City Center for Youth. The Office of Juvenile Justice went into an immediate lockdown and notified law enforcement. OJJ spokesperson Nicolette Gordon says law enforcement was able to apprehend some of the suspects shortly after the escape…

Cut 7 (08) “…at-large.” 

Gordon says three of the juveniles were caught around 8:30 this morning, and Thursday afternoon the 17-year-old was apprehended, while the 16-year-old remains at large. The BCCY has established a temporary command center to assist in collecting and distributing information to aid in their capture.

Cut 8 (11) “…Information Database.” 

Authorities are unable to release greater detail about the escapees due to their ages. Law enforcement has received full information on both.

At this time, just how the juveniles were able to get out of the facility remains unknown. Gordon says that staff is trained to remain aware of potential escape attempts, and there are numerous mitigation efforts at these facilities. However….

Cut 9 (10) “…chance that we get.”

If you have information that could help, OJJ asks that you call your local law enforcement or the command center at 504-401-3359.

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Today the FBI announced that it is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of any individuals responsible for the homicide of Shamia Little. The 17-year-old was found deceased about 11 months ago near a park in Shreveport from a single gunshot wound. Special Agent Doug Williams spoke to the media…

Cut 10 (13) ” …the Little family.” 

Shamia Little was last seen alive the night of July 6, 2021, and since that time finding credible information or witnesses has been a problem for both the Shreveport Police and the FBI. Williams says that maybe the reward will provide motivation for someone to come forward.

Cut 11 (11)  “…leads for us.” 

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith says his team has exhausted every lead and that no new information has been brought to law enforcement since last year. Smith pleaded with the public to do everything that they can as well.

Cut 12 (10) “…please help us.”  

Crimes Stoppers is offering an additional three thousand dollars for information. If you have information related to the homicide of Shamia Little, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips-dot-fbi-gov.

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A crime & corruption watchdog group calls for review of a Tangipahoa Parish case wherein a rape victim was ordered to pay child support to her alleged attacker. Metropolitan Crime Commission director Rafael Goyeneche says the victim was just 16 when the attack occurred, and the man she accuses found out she’d had a child five years later…:

Cut 13 (11) “…proved his paternity.”

Crysta Abelseth (pronounced: ABLE-seth), who is now 32, maintains the sexual contact with John Barnes sixteen years ago was not consensual. Barnes discovered he had a child with Abelseth in 2011, and a DNA test confirmed he was the father. Goyeneche says she did lodge a complaint, albeit years after the alleged crime…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…hasn’t been investigated.” 

This year, Tangipahoa Parish Judge Jeff Cashe gave Barnes full custody of the now-16-year-old daughter and ordered Abelseth to pay him child support. Those court records are sealed. Goyeneche says Barnes could be guilty of rape, but – if he is the confirmed father of a child by a then-16-year-old – he should be investigated at least for Canal Knowledge of a Juvenile; not rewarded with child support…:

Cut 15 (13) “…should take place.” 

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The US House has passed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which could mean up to $15 million annually for wildlife preservation in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Leaders in the state House and Senate will appear in a federal court seeking more time to comply with a judge’ order to redraw Louisiana’s Congressional district map. Kevin Gallagher asks a legal expert what this means…:

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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With the special legislative redistricting session underway, Governor John Bel Edwards says he expects the legislature to do its duty. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (39) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The US House of Representatives has passed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which dedicates $1.4 billion annually to prevent wildlife extinction. Executive Director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation Rebecca Triche says the legislation will greatly help supplement funding to help preserve wildlife in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (11)  “…greatest concern.”

Triche says this would mean a significant boost to help endangered wildlife and the state’s ecosystem. Current support for such preservation is funded by hunting and fishing license fees that are collected annually.

Cut 5 (09) “…recovery work.”

The bill now heads to the US Senate and in addition to bipartisan support and it also has strong support from Louisiana hunting, fishing, and wildlife groups. Triche says the bill is expected to be voted on next month.

Cut 6 (12)  “…additional funding.”

Triche says three-fourths of voters in Louisiana agree that more needs to be done to conserve land and wildlife in the state.

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State legislative leaders go before a federal judge in Baton Rouge today to request more time to redraw a rejected Congressional district map. 5^th federal Circuit Court Judge Shelly Dick ordered the map redrawn because it does not reflect the state’s one-third Black voter population, by having two majority-minority districts. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says he doesn’t see this as anything that will alter the job of lawmakers to pass that new map…:

Cut 7 (11) “…or weeks later.”

GOP House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and Senate President Page Cortez will appear before Judge Dick this morning to make their argument that the June 20^th deadline should be extended. Ciolino says, with or without the requested extension, lawmakers are still under orders to draw a new map. He says only a reversal – on the merits of the case – by the federal appeals court will change that…:

Cut 8 (11)  “…would be off again.”

Many House & Senate Republicans feel there’s insufficient time with the six days allotted to get a map passed in both chambers. Ciolino feels, in the bigger scheme of things, today’s court appearance by legislative leaders is…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…in mid-July.”

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During his monthly appearance on “Ask the Governor” Tuesday afternoon, John Bel Edwards reiterated his support for a second majority-Black congressional district as the legislature faces a June 20^th deadline to redraw the state’s congressional maps following the rejection of the previous map by a federal judge.

Cut 10 (11) “…redistricting principles.”

Though the Republican majority and its leadership have said the six-day window to redraw the map is insufficient, Edwards says major legislation has been passed in similar time frames.

Cut  11 (12)  “…was passed.” 

Even with an appeal for more time, Edwards says the legislature is in session to complete a task right now and is optimistic that all sides will come to the table in good faith.

Cut 12 (08) “…hopefully they will.” 

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Senate Governmental Affairs will meet at nine this morning to discuss two potential Congressional district maps. And the senate president and house speaker will be in court asking for more time. One map submitted by Baton Rouge Senator and Democrat Cleo Fields contains two majority-Black districts which would meet the stipulations handed down by a federal judge.

Cut 13 (14) “…right thing.”

The other map to be considered is by Slidell Republican Sharon Hewitt. It’s the map that passed in the redistricting session that a Federal court has rejected because it only has one majority Black district. Hewitt who also chairs the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee says the June 20^th court-imposed deadline is not realistic.

Cut 14 (13)  “…public input.”

Fields called out Hewitt who believes the map with only one majority-Black district that passed in the majority Republican legislature in February is legal. Fields says Hewitt, who attended town hall meetings heard from voters across the state.

Cut 15 (12)  “…black district.”

Hewitt however feels the Congressional map that lawmakers gave final passage to during the redistricting session is lawful.

Cut 16 (12)  “…here we are.”

Senate President Page Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder are scheduled to appear in court today to request a deadline extension to at least June 30^th.

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Another day of Saints minicamp is in the books. Jameis Winston has been setting the tone as one of the first in the building and the last to leave the practice field. Wednesday he told reporters that it’s been hard to keep himself from going all out as he continues to recover from ACL surgery, though he is staying on the program the team has for him.

Cut 17 (15) “ …trust them.” 

With only three preseason games along with a revamped offensive lineup and philosophy, Winston would love to get as many reps as possible in game situations. However, just how many live snaps he takes is out of his hands, so Jameis is working on the mental side of the game and his leadership.

Cut 18 (15) “ …everybody again.” 

Newly added receiver Jarvis Landry earned high marks during OTAs and that has continued during minicamp. Winston says that he and the former LSU standout have already started to develop a connection and that if there’s one thing he’s discovered about Landry, is that he knows how to get open.

Cut 19 (17) _“…get the ball.” 

Another player back on the field is kicker Wil Lutz, who missed all of last season with a groin injury. Lutz said it was difficult watching while the Saints struggled mightily in the kicking game, going through four different placekickers in his absence.

Cut 20 (19) “ …made it hard.” 

RSV cases in children are on the rise again, for the second summer in a row. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A second special session on redistricting began today as Republican lawmakers push back on a court order that the Legislature must redraw a Congressional map with two majority-minority districts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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For the second summer in a row, Louisiana is seeing an increase in RSV, the respiratory virus that usually causes wintertime colds in children. Dr. Mark Klein, physician in chief at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans believes the wearing of masks during the first year of the pandemic curbed cases of RSV and most respiratory viruses in general.

Cut 3 (07) “…from it.”

Klein says the RSV surge has also been responsible for placing some children in intensive care. He says severe cases of RSV are usually limited to infants in their first year of life.

Cut 4  (07) “…heart disease”

For children who are particularly vulnerable to RSV, Klein says they do have a monoclonal antibody treatment that can be used to prevent severe disease or even death.

For adults and older children, Klein says RSV presents as a severe cold. He says however RSV is a concern for infants who are more susceptible to the virus.

Cut 5  (11) “…concerned”

Klein says the positivity rate for RSV in Louisiana was around one percent in the winter and now it’s risen to twelve percent.

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There’s a potential sign gas prices are peaking as Louisiana did not set a new record today for a statewide average gasoline price. It’s at $4.55 for a gallon of regular gasoline, the same price as yesterday. But Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith says don’t expect any real relief until the fourth quarter of this year…

Cut 6  (10) “…development activity.” 

Smith says the flow of gasoline around the world has also been disrupted because the United States and European Union have bans on Russian oil. Smith says even if the ban ended tomorrow, it would take a while for gas prices to moderate…

Cut 7 (07) “…pocketbook” 

Gas prices are nearly two dollars higher than a year ago. Smith says the Biden Administration’s efforts to suppress oil and gas production is the biggest contributor to the higher prices, but the price at the pump would be high today even under the Trump Administration’s energy policies

Cut 8 (11) “…that impact” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law legislation that would make property owners more aware of their hurricane, named storm, wind, and hail deductibles. Eric Holl, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Real Reform Louisiana, says many policyholders don’t even know they exist

Cut 9 (12) “…insurance useless.”

Holl says House Bill 317, which was signed into law on Tuesday, adds a greater level of transparency that should better protect policyholders from those surprise costs.

Cut 10 (12) ” …deductible is.” 

Though Holl says some of the protections presented in the bill were defeated due to opposition from the insurance industry, he believes this legislation is a major step forward for policyholders and provides added protection for those facing the aftermath of a storm.

Cut 11 (12)  “…in that process.” 

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State lawmakers began a special session today called to redraw a Congressional map with two Black majority districts. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder believes the Congressional district map they approved in February with one majority district is fair and constitutional, but they will begin hearings on Friday to debate other proposals…

Cut 12 (06) “…these bills”  

The Black Legislative Caucus is supporting identical map proposals from Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields and New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis that create two majority-minority districts. Duplessis says a federal judge has ordered the Legislature to do this…

Cut 13 (08) “…2nd Amendment rights.”

The House and Governmental Affairs Committee could hear Duplessis’ Congressional map proposal with two majority-black districts on Friday. H-G-A Chairman Representative John Stefanski doesn’t think there’s enough time to pass Duplessis’ proposal

Cut 14 (11)  “…unattainable” 

Stefanski also believes a federal appeals court could still rule that the map Congressional map approved by lawmakers in February with one Black majority district is legal. But Duplessis says, for now, the courts have said draw a new map….

Cut 15 (06) “…right thing”