The Louisiana National Guard has officially ended its COVID response, after 27 months of community support. Service members assisted in more than 636 thousand COVID tests, and 234-thousand vaccinations. Task Force COVID Commander Brig. General Cindy Haygood says they built incredible relationships with nonprofits and various agencies across the state…:
Cut 6 (09) “lifelong”

Louisiana’s economy slumped sharply to start 2022, with the GDP falling 4.3% in the first quarter — almost 3 times steeper than the US economy. UL-Lafayette economist Gary Wagner says it’s driven in large part by the state’s Manufacturing sector…:
Cut 8 (13) “seeing that slowdown”
Only five other states posted a sharper contraction.

With the fall midterm elections growing closer, could a Republican wave be forming? Kevin Gallagher asks a Baton Rouge analyst…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Louisiana insurance officials will host a webinar today to explain the details of the Catastrophe Reform Package. It’ll be an overview of new laws passed during the 2022 Legislative Session aimed at enhancing protections for insurance property holders and strengthening the insurance market. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon will also provide an update on the policy cancellations from companies deemed insolvent.

With the 2022 midterm elections closing in, could a GOP wave be forming? All but 2 states – Louisiana and Delaware – have qualified candidates. JMC Analytics pollster and political analyst John Couvillon (COO-vee-yon) says he suspects a Republican wave IS forming, and he bases that on election and polling data going back to 2010…:
CUT 10 (12) “at the same time”
Couvillon says it’s quite possible Democrats could lose majority in one or both chambers of Congress in the mid-terms, and the margin of loss COULD be large.

UL-Lafayette’s online summer continuing education courses kick off today, and course registration remains open for anyone interested in expanding or changing their career. Martha Bryant is the director of the Office of Professional and Continuing Education says you may not even have to leave home…:
Cut 13 (07) “be virtual”
Visit ce.louisiana.edu for more details.

The Lafayette Police Department is seeking information regarding the death of a Baton Rouge man who was found lying in the road unresponsive early Monday. The man is identified as 37-year-old Christopher Smith. Cause of death is not known, but if you know anything about this incident, please call Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 337-232-TIPS.

After 27 months the Louisiana National Guard officially ends COVID response. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana National Guard officially ends their more than two-year COVID response in the state. Task Force COVID Brigadier General Cindy Haygood says it’s the longest mission she’s ever worked, and she’s proud of what they’ve done here in the last 27 months…:
Cut 4 (12) “PPE”
Service members supported community-based testing sites at multiple locations throughout the state and conducted more than 636,000 tests.

Authorities in Livingston Parish report a woman’s body was recovered after she reportedly fell off a boat into Blind River and then was hit by another boat on July 4th. Crews were out searching for the woman and reported they made the discovery of her body by using side scan sonar units. More on this as it develops.

Louisiana’s economy shrank dramatically in the first half of 2022, David Grubb reports:
Cut 2 (36) “I’m David Grubb”

But on the bright side, Louisiana is one of five states with the cheapest gas prices. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $4.35 cents which is down 9 cents over last week.

The Secretary of State has filed a 51 page motion through the attorney general’s office asking the US Supreme Court to give lawmakers more time to create a second majority Black congressional district. The deadline is Monday. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the map also has to be approved by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals:
CUT 14 (12) “unnecessary”
The legislature advanced one redistricting bill Friday that could comply with the court order and it heads to the Senate Floor for more discussion then it goes to the House.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces he will send Louisiana State Police troopers and Department of Corrections officers to help with a staffing shortage at the Bridge City Center for Youth and Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe Louisiana. Edwards says correctional and probation, and parole officers from the DOC and LSP will secure the perimeter of the facilities to prevent further escaping of inmates.

Tomorrow is Father’s Day and Wallethub has released a survey which shows Louisiana is the worst state in the country for working dads. Spokeswoman Jill Gonzales says Louisiana could start enacting policies more friendly to fathers…:
Cut 8 (13) “why not Louisiana”

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”

Nearly the entire state is under a heat advisory this weekend with forecast highs in the mid to upper 90s, and a heat index that could top 110 degrees as it did last week. Rain chances are minimal.

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced there will be increased security starting immediately at the Bridge City Juvenile Detention Center in Jefferson Parish to avoid anymore inmates escaping or overtaking those in command. The troubled facility had 5 juveniles escape last week, then SWAT had to be brought in Thursday night as guards had lost control of the center. The escaped juveniles are all back in custody. Edwards also announced the increased security by State Police at the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe.

Lt. Col. Doug Cain has abruptly retired from State Police as the investigation into the in-custody fatal arrest of Ronald Greene sought to learn why Cain had his state issued cell phone wiped. State Police said Cain’s request for retirement was submitted but has yet to be finalized.

The legislature advanced one redistricting bill Friday that could comply with a court order to add a second majority Black district to the state’s congressional map. The deadline to have a plan approved is Monday. This bill would give Black voters slight majorities in two of Louisiana’s six districts and now heads to the Senate floor.

ULM has launched a tool designed to match college students to 10 unique majors. MyMajors is an assessment quiz which connects students to programs of study based on strengths, talents and passions. UL-Monroe VP of Enrollment Management Lisa Miller says the assessment is free and open to anyone, because choosing a major is hard..:
CUT 9 (12) “versions of themselves”
You can complete the quiz and get your own report at u-l-m-dot-mymajors-dot-com.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has filed a 51 page motion asking the US Supreme Court to give lawmakers more time to create a second majority Black congressional district. Judge Shelly Dick denied an extension request by legislative leaders on Thursday. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder…:
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More maps were discussed on Friday but lawmakers say they aren’t confident Democrats and Republicans will be able to agree by the Monday deadline.

Lt. Col. Doug Cain, the second-in-command at Louisiana State Police, has retired amid the Ronald Greene death investigation. Cain had been questioned by a group of lawmakers charged with looking into a possible coverup into Greene’s death and why his cell phone was wiped clean. Cain had been on paid leave since April.

Dads take center stage tomorrow, 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.”  

It appears as though the pump price increases have eased as now for multiple days they’ve remained mostly flat or gone down. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular stands at $4.53 which is a cent down from a week ago. The National Average fell two cents overnight to 4.98.

State offices are closed today for the first official observance of Juneteenth…:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m David Grubb”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says another property insurance carrier, Lighthouse Excalibur, has declared insolvency. He says they along with Southern Fidelity make five such companies to exit the state…:
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Lawmakers today are back discussing the Congressional District map they must present by June 20th. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has a bill up for debate with two Black Majority districts, and discussion took place Thursday to amend it if courts ultimately ruled that the enacted map with only one Black Majority is legal. Fields wasn’t happy about that…:
CUT 6 (08) “bad advice”
A Federal judge denied the request for an extension yesterday.

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. Governor John Bel Edwards said on his monthly radio show that he supports the Second Amendment but is in favor of background checks…:
CUT 14 (10) “long ago”
Edwards also believes the age limit to purchase certain types of guns should be raised.

State Offices are closed today in observance of Juneteenth. It’s the first official observance of the Holiday in Louisiana, and Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders sponsored the legislation to make it so…:
Cut 10 (11) “part of it”

However, lawmakers will be at the Capitol today as they have just a few more days before they must approve a new Congressional map. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo fields has a map with two Black-majority districts but debate on that was held to today. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chair, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who also has a congressional map bill but with one majority Black district, countered when Fields when reminded members of the looming deadline…:
Cut 5 (07) “our job”
A Federal judge denied the request for an extension yesterday.

Another property insurance company exits Louisiana, leaving thousands seeking coverage…with the hurricane season already underway. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
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The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and SWAT had to regain control at the Bridge City Youth Center as 20 juveniles seized the facility last night causing authorities to be called in to help. The disturbance comes hours after 5 juveniles had escaped the center. Four were caught and one remains at large.