Tropical Storm Cristobal is slowly moving inland over eastern Mexico, but it’s expected to get back into the Gulf of Mexico and start heading north on Friday. The National Hurricane Center forecasts the storm will stay at tropical storm strength when crossing the Gulf of Mexico, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions for reaching hurricane strength are favorable.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…realm of possibility.”

Landfall along the Louisiana coast is possible Sunday night or early Monday morning
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the failure to reappoint Ronnie Jones as the chairman of Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board appears to be bad blood.  Jones has held the position since 2013.  Nungesser thinks it is a case of a lawmaker holding a grudge from being summons for entering a casino unlawfully last year.

Cut 12 (08) “think its retaliation.”

Some courts are set to resume operations in Phase Two and with that the resumption of evictions. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Executive Director Cashauna Hill says if the court agrees that you should be removed from your home then you will be given a certain amount of time to leave. If a tenant does not leave within the prescribed time period…

Cut 7 (08) “…the home”

Hill warns that landlords have attempted to force residents out of their homes before the process is complete by changing locks, shutting off the water, or killing the power. She says that’s illegal.

The Louisiana Speaker of the House and Senate President form a joint organization aimed at promoting a unified message about the work both chambers are doing. Leading Louisiana Executive Director Lionel Rainey says the organization will be promoting legislation like the 300 million dollar small business grant fund that was sent to the Governor’s desk.

Cut 10 (11) “…to work.”

The Louisiana Speaker of the House and Senate President form a joint organization aimed at promoting a unified message about the work both chambers are doing. Leading Louisiana Executive Director Lionel Rainey says the Governor has a big platform right now and the public deserves to hear a clear message from legislative leaders.

Cut 9, 11 seconds, the mat

Some courts are set to resume operations in Phase Two and with that the resumption of evictions. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Executive Director Cashauna Hill says evictions are a legal process that cannot proceed without a court hearing…

Cut 6 (12) “…their home.”

Landlords with federally backed mortgages will not be able to file for evictions until August 24^th.

Landfall of Tropical Storm Cristobal along the Louisiana coast is possible Sunday night or early Monday morning. 

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The state continues to see fewer people hospitalized with COVID-19, along with 387 new cases, 35 new deaths.

Protests stopped traffic in both directions last night for two-plus hours on I-10 near the Superdome in New Orleans. There were no arrests and police on the scene took a knee in solidarity against brutality. Governor John Bel Edwards is one of many Americans upset over the death of George Floyd…
cut 7 (13) “…were acceptable”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest, or arrests, in the shooting death of a black bear just south of Franklin. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says the bears were taken off the endangered list a few years ago but are still protected.

Cut 11 (09) “…stiff.”

The reward is $6,000.

Tropical Storm Cristobal is now expected to make landfall at 1am Monday in Louisiana, hurricane forecasters expect the center of the storm to reach the state near Avery Island and New Iberia. According to the National Hurricane Center maximum sustained winds are expected to be 65mph at landfall However, forecasters said it is still early and everyone from the Florida panhandle to Texas should remain alert.

Tattoo enthusiasts can get inked again on Friday as part of Phase Two, but the experience will be a bit different.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In New Orleans last night several hundred George Floyd protesters gathered on Interstate 10 near the Superdome, halting traffic in both directions. No violence was reported and there was a large police presence.  And at one point, police officers joined protesters and took a knee.

Governor John Bel Edwards has voiced his extreme disapproval of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin’s actions and Floyd’s death. Edwards, whose family has a background in law enforcement, says the procedure used to restrain Floyd is not approved in police training.

Cut 8 (12) “…Floyd’s death.”

Edwards also noted his appreciation of Louisiana citizens keeping protests civil and nonviolent compared to other states across the country.

The casino industry is responding to the Senate’s decision not to confirm the re-appointment of Ronnie Jones as chairman of the state’s gaming control board. Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty says Jones captured the respect of those within the state’s gaming industry and beyond.

Cut 14 (09) “…by his counterparts.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering a $6,000 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest, or arrests, in the shooting death of a black bear just south of Franklin. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says there’s really no excuse to shoot a bear in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (09) “…with them.”

Those with information are encouraged to call at 1-800-442-2511

As the nation reacts to the violent death of George Floyd, Governor Edwards says he appreciates the citizens of Louisiana keeping protests nonviolent. In 2016, after two white police officers were involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, we saw clashes between police and protesters, but so far that has not happened in here in the wake of Floyd’s death Edwards says he vows to work with protesters.

Cut 9 (11) “…obviously sincere.”

Tattoo shops are reopening in Phase Two on Friday and you can expect some changes. Glynn Morace is the owner of Platinum Innovations Tattoo Studio in Baton Rouge and he says the experience will include face covering for the artists and customers.

Cut 6 (10) “…or touch anything.”

The casino industry is responding to the Senate’s decision not to confirm the re-appointment of Ronnie Jones as chairman of the state’s gaming control board. Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty is surprised by the decision and hopes to see the next chairman have an appreciation for the industry’s role in the state and have a background in regulatory framework.

Cut 15 (10) “…would look for.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering a $6,000 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest, or arrests, in the shooting death of a black bear just south of Franklin. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says the bear was discovered in a ditch by passersby May 17^th…

Cut 10 (10) “…guess”

Legislators manage to pass tort reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by ten percent but Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes Governor Edwards will veto the session’s signature bill. Edwards has long expressed concerns that the bill would not actually lower rates and was frustrated when the Legislature blocked efforts to prevent insurance rate discrimination on gender or class grounds.

The legislation did not pass with a veto proof majority and Pinsonat says that may have doomed their effort, despite a mandate from voters to lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 11 (09) “…rates.”

Tropical Storm Cristobal forms in the Bay of Campeche, but it’s expected to remain stationary over the next few days before moving north. State Climatologist Barry Keim says its never too early to be prepared.

Cut 8 (12) “…of the season.”

Another piece of controversial legislation made it out of the Legislature in the last minutes of the session: a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses. Democrats opposed the grant program saying the Louisiana Congressional Delegation sent us that money to aid local governments, and Amite Representative Robby Carter says Louisiana businesses have already received 7 billion dollars in Payroll Protection Program funds…

Cut 14 (07) “…the dollar”

President Trump calls on governors to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “dominate the streets” in the wake of lawlessness following nationwide police brutality protests. Senator Bill Cassidy backed the President’s statement.

Cut 3 (11)  “…response”  

Legislators manage to pass tort reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by ten percent but Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes Governor Edwards will veto the session’s signature bill. Edwards has long expressed concerns that the bill would not actually lower rates and was frustrated when the Legislature blocked efforts to prevent insurance rate discrimination on gender or class grounds.

The legislation did not pass with a veto-proof majority and Pinsonat says that may have doomed their effort, despite a mandate from voters to lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 11 (09) “…rates.”

Pinsonat says some of the lost support came from compromise changes made over the weekend.

Cut 10 (07) “…longer”

Another piece of controversial legislation made it out of the Legislature in the last minutes of the session: a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses funded with cash set aside to help local governments whose revenue was impacted by the shutdown. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says with businesses still restricted the money is badly needed.

Cut 12 (08) “loss”

But New Orleans Representative Gary Carter opposed the grant program saying the Louisiana Congressional Delegation sent us that money to aid local governments.

Cut 13 (10) “response”  

Amite Representative Robby Carter says Louisiana businesses have already received 7 billion dollars in Payroll Protection Program funds…

Cut 14 (07) “…the dollar”

If either of the bills are vetoed they could be overridden during this ongoing special session.

Tropical Storm Cristobal forms in the Bay of Campeche, but it’s expected to remain stationary over the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the current forecast calls for the storm to move to about 200 miles south of Morgan City on Sunday morning and tracking northward.

Cut 7 (10) “…surrounding the storm.”

President Trump calls on governors to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “dominate the streets” in the wake of lawlessness following nationwide police brutality protests. Senator Bill Cassidy backed the President’s statement. The President has been criticized for using inflammatory language to describe the protests, but Cassidy says Trump’s focus right now is on restoring order.

Cut 4 (09)_ “together”

The protests were triggered by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police last week.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes Governor Edwards will veto legislation headed to his desk aimed at lowering auto insurance rates through lawsuit reform. Pinsonat says tort reform supporter’s inability to pass the legislation with veto-proof majorities may have doomed their effort, despite a mandate from voters to lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 11 (09) “…rates.”

Edwards says he’s concerned the legislation will not lower rates. Proponents disagree, claiming it would lower rates by at least 10 percent.

The Legislature signs off on a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses funded with cash set aside to help local governments whose revenue was impacted by the shutdown.New Orleans Representative Gary Carter opposed the grant program saying the Louisiana Congressional Delegation sent us that money to aid local governments.

Cut 13 (10) “response”  

The Legislature signs off on a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses funded with cash set aside to help local governments whose revenue was impacted by the shutdown. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says with the 50 percent cap on occupancy still in effect for Phase Two, the bill is timely.

Cut 12 (08) “loss”

If signed by the Governor, the program would begin taking applications from businesses with fewer than 50 employees July 1^st. Eligible businesses could receive up to 15,000 dollars

Tropical Storm Cristobal forms in the Bay of Campeche and the forecast calls for the storm to be 200 miles south of Morgan City by Sunday., but State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is much uncertainty when it comes to forecasting the track and intensity.

Cut 6 (08) “…taking this storm.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes Governor Edwards will veto legislation headed to his desk aimed at lowering auto insurance rates through lawsuit reform. Pinsonat says GOP lawmakers scrambled to pass the bill in the last minutes of the session, failing to make their case effectively to the public.

Cut 9 (11) “…on it”

Edwards says he’s concerned the legislation will not lower rates.

President Trump calls on governors to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “dominate the streets” in the wake of lawlessness following nationwide police brutality protests. Senator Bill Cassidy says the President’s statements were in response to protests that the Senator says have been infiltrated by anti-government elements.

Cut 5 (10)  “community”.